I know several patients whose recent experiences show the extent to which the paternalistic medical paradigm is still in play and how empty the 1981 AMA declaration is. Another patient was threatened with withdrawal of care for asking why a prescription medication was being withdrawn. And, a fourth acquaintance, a cancer patient, is too afraid of her oncologist to ask any questions at all. These patient experiences represent different geographic areas, suggesting continued widespread use of the worst of paternalistic medical practices. As notable perhaps, is the fact that all of the patients are women and all of the physicians are men.

Source: Forbes September 11, 2020 23:08 UTC