What is the Hippocratic Oath?
You may have heard of the Hippocratic Oath, perhaps from films and TV. But what is it, exactly? And do medical professionals still take the oath today, or is it a thing of the past?
The Hippocratic Oath
As per Britannica, “The oath dictates the obligations of the physician to students of medicine and the duties of pupil to teacher. In the oath, the physician pledges to prescribe only beneficial treatments, according to his abilities and judgment; to refrain from causing harm or hurt; and to live an exemplary personal and professional life.”
Is the oath still recited today?
According to David Geffen School of Medicine, students typically recite a modern variation of the oath. This can be:-
- The Modern Hippocratic Oath, attributed to Dr Louis Lasagna, who was also important in developing our understanding of the placebo effect
- An oath that “Bears the Name of Hippocrates”
- Or The Revised Declaration of Geneva, which was adopted by the World Medical Association (WMA) in 2017.
The oath has changed in response to shifts in medicine and society. After all, the original Hippocratic was likely written sometime around 400 BC.
Who takes the oath?
Not every medical student takes the oath or a variation. It is commonly used in graduation ceremonies of medical schools. Harvard Health writes, “While some medical schools ask their graduates to abide by the Hippocratic Oath, others use a different pledge — or none at all.”
Not every member of staff in a medical setting, such as a nurse, physician assistant, or medical scribe, who handles documentation and reduces administrative burden on physicians, will take the Hippocratic Oath.
Is the line “First, do no harm” really part of the oath?
Popular in TV and film, the phrase “First, do no harm” is widely believed to be part of the Hippocratic Oath. In reality, translations do not include this phrase. There is similar language found, though. Harvard Health cite a line from one translation:
“I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous.”
“First, do no harm” is attributed to Hippocrates, but isn’t part of the oath. It was from something else he wrote, entitled “Of the Epidemics”.
Who was Hippocrates?
Hippocrates was an ancient Greek physician and philosopher.
Hippocrates was the first documented chest surgeon. He is sometimes referred to as the “Father of Medicine” and made several lasting contributions to medicine. He and his followers were the first to describe medical conditions such as clubbing of the fingers, which is a sign of chronic lung disease, lung cancer, and cyanotic heart disease. Hippocrates’ use of terms like “relapse” and “convalescence” is still influential today.
Having lived so long ago, it’s difficult to be certain about attributions. Britannica notes that little is known about him, or if he was the only practitioner using the name.
The popular image of Hippocrates is one of a wise, old doctor, with busts of him featuring large beards and a wrinkled face.
The Hippocratic Oath in films and TV
Four Sisters: The Hippocratic Oath, a 1977 documentary, featured an interview with a physician who was forced to break his oath during World War II.
A Japanese medical drama, The Hippocratic Oath, explores the lives of doctors and medical students, with the oath a recurring theme.
In ER, the popular drama that ran from 1994 to 2009, the oath was recited by medical school students and referenced throughout the series.
In Scrubs (2001-2010), the beloved comedy drama, J.D. often quotes the oath while he’s dealing with complicated medical situations and personal relationships.
Gregory House in House (2004-2012) references the oath to justify his controversial methods and morals. House was played by Hugh Laurie, whose accent was convincing enough to fool Bryan Singer (who produced, directed, and acted in episodes of House) into thinking he was American.
Is the oath still relevant?
As much as society may have moved on, the principles in the oath are still very relevant in medicine. The oath, fundamentally, is about acting in the best interest of the patient. David Geffen School of Medicine notes that patient privacy, a key component of the original oath, is still important in today’s digital world. The settings may have changed, and our ways of storing and sharing information have certainly changed, but the importance of privacy protection remains. The Hippocratic Oath is a testament to the profound responsibility and privilege of being a healthcare provider.
