The doctor-patient relationship has evolved significantly, transitioning from a paternalistic model where physicians made unilateral decisions to a partnership model emphasizing shared decision-making and mutual respect. In recent years, the patient-centric paradigm has emerged, prioritizing patient autonomy and treating individuals as informed consumers. While these changes enhance patient empowerment, they introduce legal and ethical challenges for healthcare providers. Issues such as informed consent, liability under consumer protection laws, and navigating the complexities of consumer-driven healthcare systems have become more prominent. This paper explores these transitions, focusing on their legal implications and the balance needed to protect both patient rights and professional integrity.