Hippocratic oath

Hippocratic Oath is a traditional oath taken by physicians and other healthcare professionals swearing to practice medicine ethically and honestly. It is widely believed to have been written by Hippocrates, often regarded as the father of western medicine, or by one of his students. The oath is written in Ionic Greek (late 5th century or early 4th century BC), and is usually included in the Hippocratic Corpus.

History

The Hippocratic Oath was written in antiquity and is often used in a modified version. It requires new physicians to swear, by a number of healing gods, to uphold specific ethical standards. These include the principles of medical confidentiality and non-maleficence. Although mostly of historical and traditional value, the oath is considered a rite of passage for practitioners of medicine in many countries, although nowadays the modernized version of the text varies among them.

Modern Use

The modern use of the Hippocratic Oath has faced criticism for its religious, outdated, and inflexible content. Some medical schools do not use the Hippocratic Oath at all, while others have adopted modern versions that suit the values of contemporary medicine. These versions often emphasize a commitment to humanitarian service, professional responsibility, and respect for patient autonomy.

Text

The original text of the Hippocratic Oath is usually interpreted as one of the first statements of a moral code to be used by physicians, establishing several principles of medical ethics which remain of paramount significance today. These include the principles of medical confidentiality and non-maleficence.

See Also

• Medical ethics
• Hippocrates
• Hippocratic Corpus

References

Hippocratic oath Resources
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