Inertie clinique : comment est-elle possible ?

This article analyzes the new concept of clinical inertia, defined as the absence of implementation or intensification of a treatment, in contradiction with the current guidelines. It shows the frequency and the consequences of this phenomenon, it clarifies its connections with patient non-adherence, and proposes solutions to try to avoid it. Finally, it suggests that the existence of clinical inertia imposes a reflection on care, on the meanings of evidence-based medicine, and finally on the place of trust in the physician-patient relationship.