When you get right down to it, people have themselves to blame just as much as the medical community.

The only AUTHORITY doctors have is what you GIVE them! Too many folk subscribe to the old "doctors orders" BS and won't stand up to them. The only ones that have to follow their orders are nurses, therapists, and technicians, etc..

I've told every physician that I've had to deal with over the years that i will listen to their diagnosis and recommendations, BUT, I will also do my own research before any drug or treatment and will make ALL decisions for myself.

Don't be afraid to say NO. When they bring you that "permission to treat" sheet to sign, read through it, draw a single line thru anything you disagree with, initial next to the marked out item (every one of them). The marked-thru item must still be able to be read to carry legal weight (so I've been told, but I'm NOT a lawyer).

If they bring you one of those damned electronic signature pads to sign, refuse, and ask for a printed copy only. You'll likely be shocked at what rights they are actually asking you to sign away.

Again, DON'T BE AFRAID TO STAND UP TO THEM. I've told several throughout my wife's cancer and stroke treatments to "Take your inflated ego and god complex down the hall and don't have ANYTHING to do with her again". It's led to some long conversations with hospital admins, but was quite satisfying to give them a piece of my mind.