1. In the classical Hippocratic oath, the physician would be swearing on the Greek physician Apollo and the Greek Gods and Goddesses especially Hygieia (who is the Greek God of health, cleanliness and sanitation) and Panaceia (who is the Greek Goddess of healing). On the other hand, in the modern Hippocratic oath, the names of Apollo, Hygieia and Panaceia are removed, as they are no more being worshipped or respected. This ensures that the Hippocratic oath can be universally applied, across all religions and ethnic groups. 2. The Classical Hippocratic oath appears to be male-oriented.
This is avoided in the modern day Hippocratic oath, as it applies to both sexes. Hence, any form of gender discrimination is prevented in the new oath. 3. The Old Hippocratic oath uses ancient English in its content, where the newer version uses modern English and is more to the point. 4. Both the oaths give a mention of the respect to the teachers. The Classical Hippocratic Oath gives a lot of importance to the teachers and they should be considered as equivalent as the status of parents. The Classical oath also mentions that the teachers should be given their dues in terms of money.
On the other hand, the newer oath only mentions that the knowledge gained from the teachers should be respected. 5. Both the oath mentions that the physician should participate in teaching. The older oath mentions that the physician may also have to teach without accepting a fee. It also says that the physician may have to teach the offspring of his teachers and also his own children. The old oath mentions that the basic qualification for learning would be to take the oath. On the other hand, the newer oath does not give any basic qualification required for learning medicine. 6.
Both the oaths mention the attention and importance that should be given to the sick. The older oath mentions that the physician should treat the sick with ability and judgment and should prevent the patient from getting harmed from treatment or neglected. On the other hand, the newer oath has mentioned that the physician should prevent over treating the patient and also from completely neglecting a sick patient. 7. The new oath mentions that the physician should consider medicine, as both an art and a science. This ensures that the patient should be treated with sympathy and understanding.
The older oath gives a mention that the physician should consider his profession as holy and treat patients with purity. 8. Both the oaths mention that the physician should not misuse any drug or surgery on their patients. The older oath says that the physician should not give a drug to cause abortion to a pregnant woman, and would also not torture a enemy using professional knowledge. The physician should ensure that the men who are ment to do so perform torture. However, the new act does not give a mention about the physician not torturing people, as there are already international treaties in place to prevent this. 9.
The classical oath says that the physician should be available for emergency treatment. 10. The Classical oath gives a warning to the physician that they should not indulge in sexual activity with the patients. The new oath does not mention this because there may be other legal and ethical limitations that the physician would have to follow. 11. Both the new and the old oaths talk about maintaining confidentiality of the patient’s details and secrets. 12. Both the new and the old act mention that the physician should derive dignity from his profession. They should use their professional knowledge for the benefit of the society.
13. The new oath gives an account of euthanasia. The physician should utilize euthanasia only to prevent the patient from suffering and to allow the patient to die with dignity. The physician should utilize this power with great caution. He should be humble and sympathetic towards the patient. The new oath also warns the physician not to play the role of God. This may have implications on reproductive medicine also. 14. The new oath mentions about preventive treatment and the need to use it to prevent the development of disease. 15. Both the oaths mention that the physician has special duties towards the society.
16. The new oath mentions about situations in which the physician may have to call another physician or a specialist to perform treatment. The old act did not give this point, as specialty treatment may have not existed during that time. 17. The new oath gives importance to the economic and the family situation of the patient. The Hippocratic oath to some extent is a timeless guide to medical professionals today. It mentions about several concepts that are of great importance to medicine today such as emergency medicine, confidentiality, importance of teaching in medicine, use of judgment and decision-making, etc.
It is surprising that during those early days, the importance of such concepts had been understood. Hippocratic would have conducted a lot of research in clinical medicine in order to write this oath. However, I also do feel that this oath has a few limitations. It does not speak about informed consent and research with human subjects. It may be very difficult for hospitals and physicians to provide free treatment in today’s age. Besides, medical education is more of a marketing strategy and it would be very difficult to apply the Hippocratic oath in that regard.
Several issues such as euthanasia and preventive medicine are not explained in the old oath, suggesting that they have been advancements in medical practice. The Oath also does mention about protecting the confidentiality of the patient. However, there may be several instances in which the confidentiality has to be broken in order to protect the society. For example, a patient suffering from AIDS and fails to inform the sex partner, he would be putting the sex partner at a risk of developing the disease. The sex partner would develop HIV and may meet with a fatal outcome.
In this way the life of a patient is lost (which would again be an instance of not meeting with the Hippocratic oath). Hence, the physician may have to break confidentiality issues in order to protect the public. My version of the Hippocratic oath: – At the time of being admitted into the medical faculty, I do promise to use my skills, judgment and experience to work for the benefit of the patient and the society. To my teachers I would give due respect and consideration. I would ensure that I would share my knowledge and skills with the future generations for the benefit of mankind.
I would ensure that the treatment is providing according to the best of my ability and skills. In no way I would do any action or prescribe any drug that would be detrimental to the health and life of the patient. I would use euthanasia only in the case of extreme suffering by the patient. In case I am unable to treat the patient, I would hand over the patient to a specialist or to a colleague. I would conduct research on the patient for the betterment of the medical sciences only after taking due consent.
In all instances before any treatment, I would explain the benefits and the risk to the patient, before the procedure is actually conducted. All issues of the patient would be kept confidential. In cases I have to break the confidentially, I would ensure that it is done mainly to protect the public. I would ensure that preventive practice would help prevent the development of disease. I would make take all measures to protect the life of the patient in case of a medical emergency. I would derive all the respect from my profession and would use it for the benefit of the society and mankind.
I make these promises keeping the name of the profession in mind. (Kellogg’s Library, 2007). Advantages: – I have addressed several issues such as informed consent, breaking confidentiality in certain situations, conductance of research, etc. Besides, I have also given the specific instance in which this oath would be taken Disadvantages: – I am unable to address the issues of financial consideration in medical education and medical practice, as both ethical and legal issues are involved.
References:
(The One reference you had given on Law, Medicine and Healthcare care)Edelstein, L. (1934), Hippocratic Oath — Classical Version, Retrieved on September 16, 2007, from PBS Web site: http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_classical. html Kellogg’s Library (2007), Oath of Hippocratic — Classical & modern versions, Retrieved on September 16, 2007, from Kellogg’s Library Web site: http://www. library. dal. ca/kellogg/Bioethics/codes/hippocraticoath. htm Lasagna, L. (1964), Hippocratic Oath—Modern Version, Retrieved on September 16, 2007, from PBS Web site: http://www. pbs. org/wgbh/nova/doctors/oath_modern. html