I swear by Apollo Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses…

Introduction to the Hippocratic Oath

This is the beginning of the Hippocratic Oath, a timeless commitment to medicine. The oath is a solemn promise historically taken by physicians to uphold the ethics of the medical profession. Attributed to the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the oath serves as a guideline for doctors to conduct their practice with integrity and honour.

Historical Context and Evolution

The origins of the Hippocratic Oath date back to the 5th century B.C., a period when medicine was intertwined with religion and philosophy. The oath was revolutionary for its time, as it established a code of conduct for physicians that prioritised patient welfare and confidentiality, setting the foundation for modern medical ethics.

The oldest partial fragments of the oath date to circa AD 275. The oldest surviving version dates to the 10th–11th century, held in the Vatican Library.

Over the centuries, the Hippocratic Oath has undergone various adaptations to align with contemporary values and practices. Despite these changes, the core principles of the oath remain relevant today. It emphasises the importance of not harming the patient, act in the best interests of the patient, and confidentiality in patient care.

The oath also highlights the duty of a physician to share medical knowledge with the next generation of practitioners, ensuring the continuity of ethical medical practice.

The Oath in Modern Times

So how has the oath evolved to reflect the advancements in medicine and the evolving societal norms? The Oath has been eclipsed as a document of professional ethics by more extensive, regularly updated ethical codes issued by national medical associations. One of the most significant revisions was first drafted in 1948 by the World Medical Association (WMA), called the Declaration of Geneva.

In the 1960s, the Oath was changed to require "utmost respect for human life from its beginning", making it a more secular obligation, not to be taken in the presence of any gods, but before only other people.

In 1964 the prayer was omitted, and that version has been widely accepted and is still in use today by many medical schools. The oath continues to be a symbolic rite of passage for medical graduates, reminding them of their responsibilities to patients and the larger community.

Practical Applications in Contemporary Medicine

So how does the oath translate into today’s medical landscape? Here are some examples,

1. The oath's emphasis on confidentiality translates to protecting a patient's medical data. Doctors today must be vigilant about securing electronic health records to ensure privacy.

2. The oath avoids harming patients. In the context of modern medicine, this translates to respecting patient autonomy. Doctors should explain treatment options clearly and obtain informed consent before proceeding.

3. The oath traditionally focused on healing the sick. Today, it's interpreted to include preventing illness whenever possible. Doctors might encourage preventative measures like vaccinations, healthy lifestyles, and cancer screenings.

4. The oath compels doctors to treat all patients to the best of their ability. In a world with limited resources, this can mean difficult decisions. Doctors might prioritise care based on medical need or advocate for wider access to healthcare.

5. New medical technologies raise complex questions. The oath's spirit encourages doctors to grapple with ethical dilemmas, such as when to use end-of-life care or how to handle gene editing.

6. Doctors should not let considerations of age, disease, disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor intervene between their duty and their patients.

The Hippocratic Oath continues to be a cornerstone of modern medicine. Despite the profound advancements in technology and changes in society, the essence of the Oath remains pertinent, advocating for patient welfare and ethical practice. It serves as a moral compass for healthcare professionals, reminding them of their commitment to serve patients with integrity and respect.

The Oath's adaptability has allowed it to endure through centuries, evolving with the medical profession while maintaining its fundamental values. This enduring relevance is a testament to the Oath's foundational role in shaping the ethical framework within which healthcare providers operate, ensuring that despite the passage of time, the focus on humanistic care and ethical responsibility remains at the heart of the medical profession.

Application of Ethical Principles in Medical Innovation

When Dr. Andrew Wallis, our medical director and inventor of all our medical devices, entered the medical profession in Australia, he did so by accepting a version of the Declaration of Geneva which was formally adopted by the Australian Medical Association in 2006. You can clearly see how the declaration adheres very closely to the original oath whilst still relating to today’s medical landscape.

Declaration of Geneva (WMA, 2006)

At the time of being admitted as a member of the medical profession:

I solemnly pledge to consecrate my life to the service of humanity;

I will give to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due;

I will practise my profession with conscience and dignity;

The health of my patient will be my first consideration;

I will respect the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;

I will maintain, by all the means in my power, the honour, and the noble traditions of the medical profession;

My colleagues will be my sisters and brothers;

I will not permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;

I will maintain the utmost respect for human life;

I will not use my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;

I make these promises solemnly, freely and upon my honour.

Commitment to Ethical Medical Products

Dr. Wallis also applies the principles of the declaration when he is developing a new product to ensure our products do what they are supposed to do and protect the health of the patient, keep the patient safe and ensure our products act in the best interests of the patient. Why not request a sample and see for yourself.

Author: Niall Shannon, European Business Manager, Innovgas

This article is based on research and opinion available in the public domain.

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