A boxing referee says "Protect yourself at all times."

They do this not because it isn't their job to protect fighters from illegal blows, but because the consequences of illegal blows are sometimes unfixable.

An encouragement for patients to co-own their own care isn't a removal of a physician's responsibility.

It's an acknowledgement that (1) physicians are human, fallible, and not omniscient, (2) most health systems have imperfect information sync'ing across multiple parties, and (3) no one is going to care more about you than you (although others might be much more informed and capable).

Self-advocacy isn't a requirement for good care -- it's due diligence and personal responsibility for a plan with serious consequences.

If a doc misses a diagnosis and a patient didn't spend any effort themselves, is that solely the doctor's fault?

PS to parent's insinuation: 20 years in the industry and 15 years of managed cancer in immediate family, but what do I know?