Introduction: The objective of the Esprit study, launched in 2003 at the initiative of the Ministry of Health, was to estimate the frequency of healthcare-associated adverse events (HAEs) in general practice in France, to describe their types, and to identify preventable HAEs. Method: A cross-sectional "one-week" study among general practitioners (GPs). An AHI was defined as an "event or circumstance associated with care that could have caused or did cause harm to a patient, and which we hope will not occur again." The study population consisted of all patients seen by a sample of GPs randomly selected from the Network of Regional Influenza Surveillance Groups (GROG) and trained via telephone on the issue of HCEEs and the study protocol. Data collection was conducted online via a dedicated, secure website. In a second phase, a workshop of expert GPs enabled the group to 1) validate the EIAS, 2) classify each EIAS according to two taxonomies, and 3) determine whether they were preventable or not. Results: In total, 79% of the GPs contacted (127/160) participated in the study, allowing for the collection of 13,438 medical procedures (visits and consultations). Among the 12,348 procedures included, the frequency of EIAS was 26 per 1,000 procedures (n=317); that of preventable events was 22 per 1,000 procedures (n=270). These EIAS were mainly related to problems with practice organization (42%) or the care pathway (21%). For 77% of patients, the EIAS had no clinical consequences; for 21%, it resulted in temporary disability; 2% of EIAS were serious adverse events. Conclusion: The results of this first French estimate are similar to those of other countries. A national working group led by the Ministry will draw lessons from these results regarding prevention measures, recommendations, and further studies within the framework of the National Patient Safety Program. (R.A.)