--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy…" description: "\"“What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy of patient autonomy and informed consent over efficacy—which is what we’re talking about here—was presumed, b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3e/ben-goldacre-9578_doctor_what-is-odd-perhaps-is-how-the-primacy-o_605158.png" --- # What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy of patient… ![“What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy of patient autonomy and informed consent over efficacy—which is what we’re talking about here—was presumed, but not actively discussed within the medical profession. Although the authoritative and paternalistic reassurance of the Victorian doctor who…” quote by Ben Goldacre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3e/ben-goldacre-9578_doctor_what-is-odd-perhaps-is-how-the-primacy-o_605158.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3e/ben-goldacre-9578_doctor_what-is-odd-perhaps-is-how-the-primacy-o_605158.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e3e/ben-goldacre-9578_doctor_what-is-odd-perhaps-is-how-the-primacy-o_605158.png) > ““What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy of patient autonomy and informed consent over efficacy—which is what we’re talking about here—was presumed, but not actively discussed within the medical profession. Although the authoritative and paternalistic reassurance of the Victorian doctor who ‘blinds with science’ is a thing of the past in medicine, the success of the alternative therapy movement—whose practitioners mislead, mystify and blind their patients with sciencey-sounding ‘authoritative’ explanations, like the most patronising Victorian doctor imaginable—suggests that there may still be a market for that kind of approach.”” [Ben Goldacre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-goldacre/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage critiques how modern alternative medicine mimics Victorian paternalism, using scientific jargon to mislead patients despite the emphasis on autonomy and consent. **In simple terms:** Alternative therapies use scientific language to control patients, echoing old‑fashioned doctor authority. Key Takeaway Question and verify medical claims despite persuasive language. Themes medical ethics patient autonomy science communication skepticism authority Mood cautious skeptical Type critical educational When to use this quote - doctor‑patient consultations - health policy debates - public health education Key Concepts Paternalism informed consent misinformation trust in science Questions to Reflect On - How can patients balance autonomy with reliance on expert advice? - What safeguards prevent misinformation in healthcare? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on autonomy can ignore the need for clear, evidence‑based guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Blinds Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/blinds-science-4925697/) [Discussed Medical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussed-medical-4925696/) [Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) [Doctor Blinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-blinds-4925695/) [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Informed consent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/informed-consent/) [Medical profession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medical-profession/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Patience](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patience/) [Patient Autonomy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patient-autonomy-1811143/) [Victorian Doctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victorian-doctor-4925694/) ## Related quotes > [When I took the Hippocratic oath and was effectively 'sworn in' as a doctor, I took the same vow that doctors have taken for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-bera/when-i-took-the-hippocratic-oath-and-was-effectively-sworn-in-as-a/) [Ami Bera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-bera/) > [The patient's autonomy always, always should be respected, even if it is absolutely contrary - the decision is contrary to best medical advice and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kevorkian/the-patient-s-autonomy-always-always-should-be-respected-even-if-it/) [Jack Kevorkian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kevorkian/) > [Patient autonomy is paramount to the oath that we take when we enter the profession of medicine. 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Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) [Browse all 3,922 Doctor quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“What is odd, perhaps, is how the primacy of patient autonomy and informed consent over efficacy—which is what we’re talking about here—was presumed, but not actively discussed within the medical profession. 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