When a healthcare provider overrides a patient's wishes for their betterment, what is this practice called?

The practice of overriding a patient's wishes for what the healthcare provider believes is in the patient's best interest is known as paternalism. This term is derived from the Latin word "pater," meaning father, and reflects an approach where the healthcare provider takes a protective role, making decisions for the patient under the assumption that it will lead to better health outcomes.

Paternalism often comes into play in situations where patients may not be fully informed about their condition or the implications of their choices, or when they refuse treatment that is deemed necessary for their health. The healthcare provider, in this case, acts with the intention of benefitting the patient, even if it means disregarding their autonomous wishes.

In contrast, the other terms have different meanings: assent refers to an individual's agreement to treatment after being informed, non-malfeasance is the ethical obligation to avoid causing harm to patients, and substituted judgment involves making decisions based on what the patient would have wanted if they were able to express their wishes.