Abstract: In this talk, I cast doubt over the benefits of a shift towards greater patient activation. Feminist medical ethics and recent studies about healthcare service utilisation highlight the importance of patients being active inquirers and autonomous agents. By improving their knowledge, skills and confidence in managing their health, patients secure better health outcomes and overcome medical paternalism. Contra this trend, I propose to problematise some of these benefits by arguing that patient activation comes at a cost and can lead to the exploitation of patients. I argue that this is caused by the burdensome nature of the epistemic labour required from patients, and subsequently by the unjust silencing that patients might endure after performing this epistemic labour.