Primum

Primum non nocere is a Latin phrase that means "first, do no harm." The phrase is often attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, but it is not included in the Hippocratic Oath. It is a fundamental principle in medicine and bioethics that healthcare providers must consider the possible harm that any intervention might do. It is invoked when debating the use of an intervention that carries an obvious risk of harm but a less certain chance of benefit.

Origin

The phrase is believed to have originated from the Hippocratic Corpus, specifically in the book Epidemics, where it says "The physician must...have two special objects in view with regard to disease, namely, to do good or to do no harm." The exact phrase is believed to have been coined by the English physician Thomas Sydenham in the 17th century.

Application in Medicine

In medicine, the principle of "primum non nocere" is used to guide clinical decisions and actions. It is a reminder to health care providers that they must consider the possible harm that any intervention might do. It is invoked when debating the use of an intervention that carries an obvious risk of harm but a less certain chance of benefit.

Criticism

While the principle is widely held, it has been criticized for its lack of clarity and for its potential to be used to justify inaction. Some argue that the principle, taken to its extreme, could be used to justify not performing any action that carries any risk, no matter how small.

See Also

• Hippocratic Oath
• Bioethics
• Medical ethics
• Thomas Sydenham

References

Primum Resources
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