The Hippocratic Oath Medical school is filled with a variety of ceremonies.

This includes everything from white-coat ceremonies, to cadaver-related convocations. One ceremony of ethical significance is the recital of the Hippocratic Oath. Upon graduation new physicians pledge to practice medicine justly and ethically. Although there is no obligation associated with this oath, it is still considered a rite of passage for physicians. This paper will discuss the history and evolution of the Hippocratic Oath as well as its practical applications in modern medicine. The Hippocratic Oath, published in the fourth century B.C.E, is believed to have been written by either Hippocrates, traditionally known as the father of western medicine, or one of his students. At the time when this medical text was first published, the Oath was somewhat more than just a non-obligatory vow. In fact, it was required by new physicians to take the Hippocratic Oath, thereby swearing upon a number of healing gods to follow a list of professional ethical standards. This word of honor also bound the student to his teacher and the greater community of physicians with responsibilities similar to that of a family member (North, 2002). It is obvious that the Hippocratic Oath meant a lot more in the past then it does today. As time progressed, the Oath evolved in accordance to developed norms and values. Originally, in addition to swearing to Apollo the physician, and Ascleplius, and Hygieia and Panacea and all the gods and goddesses a physician is promised free tuition and promises never to use the knife (Tyson, 2001). Obviously our current understanding of medicine and inflation has nullified both of these principles. These are clear examples as to why something as significant as the Hippocratic Oath is subject to change, yet there are many principles that still pertain to our present day society. Today there are many different variations of the Oath adapted to various cultures. Yet, there are certain principles that typically remain in the Oath. According co-chair of the Healthcare Ethics Council, Robert Orr, 12 items that persist in the modern day Oath are the following: Covenant with deity: I swear by Apollo the physician Covenant with teachers: pledge of collegiality and financial support. Commitment to students: promise to teach those who swear the Oath. Covenant with patients: pledge to use ability and judgment. Appropriate means: use of standard dietary care. Appropriate ends: the good of the patient not the physician. Limits on ends: originally proscribed abortion and euthanasia. Limits on means: originally proscribed surgery for renal stones, by deferring to those more qualified. Justice: avoiding any voluntary act of impropriety or corruption. Chastity: originally proscribed sexual contact with patients. Confidentiality: not to repeat anything seen or heard. Accountability: Prayer that the physician be favored by the gods if the Oath is kept, and punished if it is not kept (Hulkower, 2010). All of these items are typically associated with physicians, whether they pledge, or are religious, it does not matter. As such, doctors are expected to withhold a high moral and ethical standard. The failure to do so may result in a suspension of, or a complete loss of their license to practice. Some may feel that the punishment may be unfair if they find out that their family doctor was relieved of his license due to the transgression of one or more of the stated principles.

However, it should be realized that physicians are in a situation in which privacy, chastity, and moral ethics are of utmost importance. For example, in the past year a doctor whose name shall remain anonymous was sent to jail and loss all privileges as a doctor. He was convicted of negligence in the prescription of painkillers to patients. As a result, more than one of his patients passed away due to improper dosage, and irrelevant medications for their ailments. Although one may justify his actions in that he was applying the principle of appropriate ends, a covenant with the patients was broken, and accountability was put into place. With all the issues that may arise by taking the Hippocratic Oath, one might ask, well then why does anyone do it nowadays when they dont have to? In response to this question, it should be realized that the Oath does, and should not represent the negative aspect of things. But rather represents a path in which a physician is able to do well. Consequently, his or her success as a practitioner will be determined by the fulfillment of the Oath that they had promised to uphold. By focusing on the positive aspect of the promise, it should be clear as to why new physicians would opt in to take the vow. The Hippocratic Oath is an ancient text and custom originating in the fourth century B.C.E. The Oath itself represents a physicians moral and ethical obligations. In fact, it is so important that upon graduation, doctors take the oath as it is their rite of passage. Although the original Hippocratic Oath may not be completely relevant to our modern day, many principles still pertain to what is expected of a physician. It can be said that the Oath evolved in order to suit the values of the cultures. By following the standards set physicians have a well-paved path set out for them leading to success. This is such a popular belief that in todays society, nearly 100 percent of all physicians will or already has taken the Oath. In conclusion, the Hippocratic Oath is expected to alter from time to time, yet it will persist, it will remain to be an ethical code used in graduation ceremonies of all upcoming physicians leading to their success.

Literature Cited Hulkower, R. (2010). The history of the hippocratic oath: outdated, inauthentic, and yet still relevant. Einstein Journal of Biology and Medicine 25/26:41-44. North, M. (2002). Greek medicine. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/greek/greek_oath.html Tyson, P. (2001). The hippocratic oath today. Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/body/hippocratic-oath-today.html