> If your goal is to actually help people, you should base your arguments on how things are in reality instead of some idealized dream world.
That's a fair position (you seem to be a utilitarian), and probably quite defensible. But, one could argue that patient choice is an important feature for our medical systems to have. I certainly want to be able to refuse medications that my doctor recommends (e.g. opioids) or seek alternate advice/second opinions. My cost-benefit analysis equation is probably not the same as my doctor.
To be clear, I'm not talking about an "idealized dream world", as you put it -- I'm talking about patient autonomy in the real world, even if it means allowing patients to make what seems like a suboptimal decision.
I made that point because I argue that patient autonomy is important. Further, I argue that in order to protect patient autonomy, information should not be withheld from the patient. Accordingly, the patient should be given everything necessary to enable them to make optimal choices as a rational agent. Not providing low-cost, minimally-invasive screen tests to the patient, under the premise that the patient is an irrational agent, reduces their autonomy insofar as it limits their decision-making capacity. I argue that there is no compelling justification to do this for low-cost, minimally-invasive screenings. Furthermore, assuming that the patient is rational and finding ways to advance the rational patient's well-being protects patient autonomy. Therefore, the only justifiable factors that should be considered when screening patients that preserve patient autonomy is what I stated here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31450997
Does the position seem clear now? I apologize if this line of reasoning was not clear earlier.
> Not providing low-cost, minimally-invasive screen tests to the patient, under the premise that the patient is an irrational agent, reduces their autonomy for no justifiable reason.
The reality that patients are irrational agents _is_ a justifiable reason.
> Therefore, the only justifiable factors that should be considered when screening patients that preserve patient autonomy...
Your position is clear. I disagree. I think given real constraints (economic, legal, psychology of patients/doctors/etc.) focusing on overall quality of outcomes makes most sense. You can disagree if you want, but don't pretend it's not justifiable.
edit: Besides all the tests are available to you. You can pay them if you'd like. Given they are low-cost (at least those you're focusing on here) it really isn't a burden on you to get the tests done yourself.
That's a fair position (you seem to be a utilitarian), and probably quite defensible. But, one could argue that patient choice is an important feature for our medical systems to have. I certainly want to be able to refuse medications that my doctor recommends (e.g. opioids) or seek alternate advice/second opinions. My cost-benefit analysis equation is probably not the same as my doctor.
To be clear, I'm not talking about an "idealized dream world", as you put it -- I'm talking about patient autonomy in the real world, even if it means allowing patients to make what seems like a suboptimal decision.