The Hippocratic Oath Of The Medical Profession

Throughout the history of medicine there has always been a need for shared commitment to ideals of moral, ethical and humane practice. The Hippocratic Oath, created by a compilation of works largely based on Hippocrates, has always stood as guidelines for the conduct of physicians. The Classical oath has and continues to serve well in preserving the sanctity of the medical profession while developing a basis for the respectful treatment of patients. However, this out-dated oath is not equipped to handle the modern trials and tribulations faced by physicians and health care in general. Many of its principles are simply unrealistic and inapplicable in today’s society. For this reason a revised version of the oath was written. As I will

The Hippocratic Oath is an oath that each physician swears to upon graduating from medical school. Essentially, the oath is a proclamation by the newly licensed doctor to only help people and a promise not to harm

Elite groups and associations have developed creeds or oaths throughout history. Doctors, lawyers, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, and knights all aspire to hold to their directives. These oaths outline a set of values, and a code of conduct by which the group’s initiates are expected to hold. The oaths taken by these warrior classes are important for trust between members that, in grave circumstances, a behavior in accordance with high standards is to be expected. On a different professional level, a lawyer’s or doctor’s oath is to the people they serve. These oaths serve to instill confidence in the professional-to-patient relationship by establishing a standard of professional accountability within their respective fields. The Hippocratic Oath is purported to be a foundation for ethics and the practice of medicine. Though it exists in different versions, depending on the institution, the general themes and function remain the same (Markel). Any oath taken is meant to elevate the level of expectations for services rendered. In practice, however, especially in cases of medical oaths, it appears that the oaths are ceremonial and apparently obsolete. A survey conducted in 2012 noted that very few physicians had better than a rudimentary knowledge of the content of The Hippocratic Oath (Jhala and Jhala 279). If the Hippocratic Oath or any oath is intended to be the moral and ethical compass for physicians, it should be taken with an enforceable level of accountability and

Many occupations require extensive training and those who enter these fields have gone through extensive practice and eager to help. When adventurers call for help, doctors become involved, whether it is just to do a brief check of vitals, extremities, and internal workings or more extensive procedures. After finishing medical school no matter which form of health care students enters, they must take an oath. The Hippocratic Oath was the name given to this oath. One

In 5th century BCE, a Greek philosopher named Hippocrates wrote the phrase “I will not give a drug that is deadly to anyone if asked [for it], nor will suggest the ways to such a counsel”(Miles, 2004). This passage is apart of a written document that is now known as the Hippocratic Oath (Appendix A). The philosophers of ancient Greece were aware of the medical predicaments that a physician would ultimately face while practicing medicine. Today, the oath has become an ethical code for the physicians to uphold and apply in their profession. Why is this phrase important enough to be included in this document? Some view this passage as the code that prohibits physicians from lending their abilities for the executions of prisoners. Others

The Hippocratic Oath, is “First, do no harm”. Being a doctor is a profession solely dedicated to helping others, but what about when helping hurts? Often times the doctor doesn’t fully understand the patient due to a language or cultural barrier. A misunderstanding between the doctor and the patient can cause the patient to mistrust and discount everything the doctor says. The only thing worse than a noncompliant patient is a seemingly compliant patient. Although the western medical system has proven to be effective in its precision and accuracy, it is only as effective as the patients that make up the system.

The Hippocratic Oath expresses the practice of how physicians are made out to use medicine. Promising to establish a a strong relationship with patients to form a strong bond, including trust. According to a physician located in Massachusetts, Bararbara A. Rockett, states “Centuries ago the physician Hippocrates wrote the Hippocratic Oath, which many of us took when we became physicians and guides us in the ethical practice of medicine. It states that when treating patients, physicians will "First do no harm." It goes on to state that "I will give no deadly medicine to anyone if asked nor suggest any such counsel.” (“Physician-Assisted Dying Is Not Ethical”). With that being said, the origin of the Hippocratic Oath being created by the Greek physician Hippocrates. Hippocrates, who lived in the Before Christ era, was well known around town for his profession. As Hippocrates once said, “Let medicine be thy food and let food be thy medicine.” (qtd. Edelson “Hopkins Medicine Magazine - Desert Bloom” 1). With a little imagination put behind his remark, the Greek physician had persuaded his colleagues to understand the best medication for patients is nutrition from food. Henceforth, the Hippocratic Oath being passed along for so many years, it is obvious to visualize the morality behind the oath. Given the thousands of years that have passed since this oath has been created, it is evident that time does not effect the principles that this oath

This oath was a promise to practice medicine that will benefit the patient, the number one rule above all others was do no harm. Not only did Hippocrates greatly influence surgical operations and medicine but he brought about a new way of seeing medical treatment and revolutionized the relationship between doctors and their patients. Though the majority of doctors do not take the Hippocratic oath today, it is the basis for western medical ethics so they share the same

Doctors have an oath called the Hippocratic Oath and part of that oath states the following.

Introduction The hippocratic oath is an oath taken by all physicians once they begin to practice medicine. This oath is one of the oldest documents in history that still exists and is used today. Robert Veatch’s assumption of this oath is that the oath is offensive, and is unacceptable to patients and medical professionals. He mentions that is offensive due to religious and secular alternatives.

The oath is still used today and “by taking the oath doctors swear to assist any person who needs help, no matter whom they are or what they may have done, and they also pledge never to harm any patient under circumstances.” (Emmons). This oath is important because it helps ensure that doctors will try the best to help any patient. Both of these forms of documentation of Hippocrates’ views set an important standard for patient care that would be accessible to all

The Code of Medical Ethics also known as the Hippocratic Oath back in the 5th century BCE contains statements of the basic principles by which the physician conducts its work. Every physician who enters into the medical field is administered by the established code of Medical Ethics. The principles of right and wrong. While there are laws that protect the patients, the code of Medical Ethics makes an even greater demand on those in the medical field.

Upon watching the YouTube video of the original Hippocratic Oath I noticed quite a few things that are still widely practiced around the world today and some that aren’t. It truly humbles me to know that the standard for patient care has always been intended to be morally and ethically high. I know this hasn’t always been the case, but it is nice to know it was always the intention. The normative principles seen in this original oath that are still practiced today fall into the Virtue and Deontological categories.

The Hippocratic Oath was introduced by Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine in the fifth century B.C. The oath was written to hold physicians to a higher standard to help other people with pain and suffering. The Oath of Hippocrates has remained in the Western world of medicine to sustain ethical values in the medical profession. Physicians are not the only medical profession that takes an oath. Other medical professionals in the medical field must uphold an oath such as nurses, veterinarians, and other healthcare professionals. (Marples, 2016)

The Hippocratic Oath states and emphasizes from the latin “primum non nocere”, or “do no harm” towards patients.(Tyson, 2001) The oath is a statement that all medical practitioners quote that they will provide, contribute, and comply with the safety systems in place to protect and reduce the risk posed by adverse health situations. The oath also requires the practicing medical physician to protect the lives of the majority, by means of disease prevention. (Tyson, 2001) Providing medical services to patience requires an enormous amount of training and diligence to provide the best possible outcome for the safety and health of patience. (Ketterer, 2016)