Hippocratic Oath

Dr. Boyfriend graduated from medical school a couple of weeks ago (hooray!), and during the ceremony they read the Hippocratic Oath (I do not have the entire text of exactly what they read handy at the moment). When they finished, I asked, “Hey, where’s that ‘do no harm’ part people always talk about?” He replied that some schools take it out because of the controversy. “Over what?” asks I, thinking this to be a medical given.

The answer? Assisted suicide.

Turns out some schools take that phrase out considering it incompatible with “death with dignity” or however you wish to phrase it. Some schools have their own entirely revised version of the Hippocratic oath altogether that more fits with their school’s philosophy of care.

Thought that was pretty interesting. Thoughts?

Esprix

Was it this? I don’t see the actual words “first, do no harm”, maybe that’s in a different version? Did Dr. Boyfriend have to swear to abstain from the seduction of males and females, freemen and slaves? :smiley:

http://www.humanities.ccny.cuny.edu/history/reader/hippoath.htm

The version that I have, the one my Grandfather, Father, Great Uncle, and Uncle took when they became physicians expressly forbid a doctor from providing the means to abortion. I guess that’s another part of the Oath that has gotten thrown out.

The text is on my home computer. I can post it if anyone wants to see the wording.

Note to self: Read previous posts carefully before posting.

That’s one of my pet peeves, and here I am a culprit. Sorry about that DDG.

Actually, I think most med schools have given up the Hippocratic Oath altogether. While the tradition is cool and all, the ideas are just not relevant to our times. A lot of people feel uncomfortable swearing an “oath” to those ideas. For example:

You can see why the Christians and other varieties of monotheist might have a problem with this.

Such devotion to our professors is hardly necessary these days.

I swear to teach this to my teacher’s kids for free? Uh, no.

Here we have two ethical toughies in one sentence. The medical profession these days generally approves of abortion and increasingly approves of assisted suicide, so it’s a bit hypocritical to make us swear to the contrary when we graduate. This is the main reason the Oath has been rewritten, replaced, or simply dropped.

I’ll try to stick to that one. It will be tough, though.

These really go against the modern notion that one can keep one’s professional and private lives separate. (Unless you’re the President.) It also seems to be saying that the doctor will avoid “the seduction of females or males” entirely, and not just in his professional capacity. While neither I nor any of my friends in class would ever attempt to seduce a patient, I don’t think any of us are ready to swear to give it up entirely.

Really, the only parts that aren’t anachronistic or controversial are the promise to work to the greatest benefit of the patient and the idea of patient confidentiality. As much as I hate to see the tradition go, it’s hard to justify it.

Dr. J

What in the name of Zeus Almighty is a “pessary”?