In 2010, the American Medical Association (AMA) recommended that patients share in decision-making with their physicians when there is more than one medically appropriate course of treatment. This certainly is a profoundly good idea but it shows that the AMA is really late to the party.

When it comes to surgery or any invasive procedure, the law requires that a patient give informed consent beforehand. In order for consent to be informed, a patient must be provided relevant information about the risks, benefits and alternatives to the procedure.