THE PRINCIPLES OF THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH: RENEWED

Used by many medical schools at graduation ceremonies, the medical profession adopted the Oath of Hippocrates as its ethical code of conduct centuries ago. That’s not a mere chance. The text articulates perfectly what the noble profession of being a doctor entails and in a compact overview takes a side in every major ethical issue a physician might encounter during their career.

Only a few know that although the oath bears the name of Hippocrates, the well-known Greek physician, there is no evidence that he wrote it. It is claimed that the document was created 100 years after his death; still some 2500 years ago.

The majority of physicians believe the Oath still has relevance today, although opinions are extremely divided. In 2016, Medscape had a poll to measure opinions about the relevance of Hippocrates’ pledge. Total responses to the survey numbered 2674 physicians plus 134 medical students. Reactions were deeply polarized, and age was a decisive factor. Of those under age 34, 39% said it was significant, compared with 70% of those 65 and older.

Still, statistics show that the majority of medical schools incorporate some kind of oath, giving ethical guidelines to future doctors.

Treating the ill to the best of one’s ability, preserving a patient’s privacy or teaching medicine to the next generation are all increasingly important matters in medicine.

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians, patients and researchers in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the healthy and sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.

I will treat my patients in an equal-level partnership, and I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.

I will embrace life-long learning to constantly improve my knowledge and skills to be able to use any technologies with scientific evidence for the benefit of my patients.

I will respect the privacy of my patients and their data, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will help prevent disease whenever I can with my knowledge and available technologies for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

An Upgraded Hippocratic Oath Is Needed In The Digital And A.I. Era; https://medicalfuturist.com/why-an-upgraded-hippocratic-oath-is-needed-in-the-digital-era/?fbclid=IwAR2Lm_KtG12vOzBvWBYehlm0hI7WlUZHBcg3UifP_q6uUTx5ZX5vXEiXzKw