You attend to a lawyer after his sudden collapse where an eyewitness mentions that the patient had a fit. After all the investigations and no significant clinical outcome, you discharge him. He tells you that he has to appear in court the next day. Whereas, you have advised him not to drive and travel, but you are convinced that he will. As a doctor, you must be facing such dilemma frequently when a patient refuses to accept medical advice, — even when the result may be fatal.
There is a difference between convincing a patient what they should and should not do and educating a patient about his options and letting him decide. Do you allow yourself persuade such patients or respect their decision? What is your approach in such circumstances?
