Ugh, no thank you. There are a few procedures where a layperson could probably make meaningful decisions. How much anesthesia do you want for a procedure: chea

Ugh, no thank you. There are a few procedures where a layperson could probably make meaningful decisions. How much anesthesia do you want for a procedure: cheap but uncomfortable, or pricy and painless? Should a specialist go all out to minimize scarring, or are you fine with a mark on your arm. But for most other things, would you actually be comfortable analyzing the risks, costs, and benefits of treatments on your own? Diagnostic tests too? You're really going to say "I hear what you're saying about a possible stroke. Still, I think the CT is overpriced--and don't even get me started on the MRI—so I'll either pay for a regular old x-ray or we can just see how this numb face/slurred speech thing plays out...." Also, how is this going to work for malpractice? The first person who opts out of the "expensive" stuff and doesn't make a full recovery is going to raise merry hell. "I KNOW I SAID NOT TO DO IT, BUT YOU EXPLAINED IT BADLY. If only I had known..."