[hotpathdev]

The issue is that depending on the situation, and on the patient in question, the intervention will shift from decision, to persuasion to mandatory.

For example, if you have a positive test for cancer, they will persuade you to follow it up. They will apply very emotionally manipulative techniques.

Another example, if the patient does not have the ability to decide for themselves, the doctor's opinion will hold a very heavy weight and can lead into a legal issue.

If you believe that science and medicine in 2023 is offering complete understanding and solutions to all or even many problems, then you will naturally feel like these two examples should be handled that way. However, the daily "revelations" of "new medical research" which contradict past results and understandings should be enough to cause doubt in that high level of confidence.