Monday, April 19, 2010

Why Doesn't Every Profession Have a Hippocratic Oath?

I can be sure that you've heard of the Hippocratic Oath, the well known oath that physicians take before becoming doctors.  Why have we only heard of the doctor's oath and not another profession?  Think about how this kind of commitment might change your office or life.  Studies have shown that signing a written code of conduct improve work commitment, quality and integrity.    If your profession had one, what would it look like?

I've included in parenthesis my broad summation/application.  These are subjective and you may disagree.

  • I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: (commitment)
  • I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow. (be a learner and a teacher)
  • I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. (altruistic intent, balanced approach)
  • I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.  ('How' and not just 'what')
  • I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.  (willing to ask for help, humble)
  • I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.  (Responsible use of information and application)
  • I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick. (Human touch)
  • I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.  (Be proactive, not reactive)
  • I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.  (I'm not just my profession.   I have a larger calling)
  • If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.  (Keep the goal in mind)
What would your profession's look like?

4 comments:

  1. Would professors swear to not "one-up" their students?

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  2. hah! That might be a bit much to hope for.

    "There once was a man of Esser
    Who's knowledge grew lesser and lesser
    Until one day he knew nothing at all
    And, so they made him a college professor"

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  3. if i may add...

    I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. (altruistic intent, balanced approach)
    - patient advocate

    I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. (Be proactive, not reactive)
    -false hope.promotion of wellness as a part of prevention.


    and one more....
    i will treat nurses with respect! hehe..

    ReplyDelete
  4. good stuff, mely! Might be good for me to make one for teaching...Or, just life in general!

    ReplyDelete

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