The myth of the Hippocratic Oath

The myth of the Hippocratic Oath - Shortly after his shootout with police in 2013, one of the alleged attackers Boston Marathon was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries. 

A reporter covering the story describes how, despite the heinous crimes that were charged, doctors work hard to save their lives, because they made an oath to do so. I knew she was referring to the Hippocratic oath. But he knew it was wrong. 

There was a good chance that these doctors had never taken the Hippocratic oath, but even if they had, there is nothing in the oath that obliges specifically to meet suspects.Maybe it should, but it does not. 

Indeed, the Hippocratic Oath today covers only a portion relevant to the ethical practice of medicine topics. It covers important things. Some of these things is controversial, and was considered generous. But many simply left the original side.

What is the Hippocratic Oath? 

The Hippocratic Oath is named after the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. It is widely regarded as its author, although its true origins are uncertain; It may have been written by one of his students, or more than one person. There is a long tradition as a guide for doctors and other health professionals as they begin or end their training. Swear to respect the principles contained in the oath, healthcare professionals promise to behave honestly and ethically.

Those who make the commitment "original" Hippocratic Oath:
 
    *  respect and support of their teachers
    *  Medical knowledge sharing with other interested
    *  use their knowledge of medicine and food to help patients
    *  prevent harm to patients, including providing any "deadly medicine", but asked to do so
    *  Not provide a "cure" that causes abortion
    *  seek help from other doctors (as a surgeon) when necessary
    *  avoid "bad," "injustice" and "sex" during home visits for patients
    *  keep patient information confidential.

The latest revisions avoided any mention of abortion and, as a popular magazine in 1964 (by Dr. Louis Lasagna, a doctor at Johns Hopkins), euthanasia is more nuanced:

"... It may be ... in 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 God.".

In addition, Mr. Lasagna encouraged a comprehensive and preventive approach to care:

"I will remember that I am not seeking an array of fever, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the family of the person and economic stability. My responsibility includes these problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is better than cure ".

What is missing?

Doctors today face a number of important ethical issues that are not included in the Hippocratic oath. For example, it makes no mention of:

      *  honoring patient preferences
      *  exchange medical information of patients
      *  avoid conflicts of interest, that the benefits in ordering tests or unnecessary treatments
      *  protecting patients who enroll in research studies
      *  treat all patients equally, regardless of their ability to pay, class, education, race or suspicion of crime
 
      *  avoiding the practice of medicine while impaired (due to physical or mental illness).

Who takes the oath?

According to a 1989 survey, only half of the medical schools in the United States use any form of the Hippocratic oath and only 2% used the original. In a 2011 study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, 80% of practicing physicians reported having participated in a swearing-in ceremony, but only a quarter felt that significantly affected oath how they practice.

Beyond the Hippocratic Oath

In the United States, where medical newly enrolled students are covered in freshly starched white coat, an oath of some sort is often read as part of the ceremony. But there is more to these new students to learn and understand such a short or as old as the Hippocratic oath passage could capture. Today, healthcare professionals are regularly ethical challenges in modern clinical practice.  

Instead of relying on the well-meaning but outdated principles, they must rely on their experience and training, modern guidelines widely accepted advice from mentors, and his personal sense of right and wrong to understand that We have to do. Fortunately, there are many useful resources beyond the Hippocratic oath to guide them in the right direction.   
By: Robert Shmerling,M.D.