The Oath: Meaningless Relic Or Invaluable Moral Guide
I first want to thank you for taking the time to read this letter I wrote. Along with reading an article on the website you edit titled, The Oath: Meaningless Relic or Invaluable Moral Guide?, I have also read both the original, and modern Hippocratic Oath multiple times. There are a few opinions and thoughts that I would like to share about the content of both these oaths. I have also considered any changes or improvements that could be made to the oath to make it more adequate in today’s society.
To start off, after carefully reading the original Hippocratic Oath, I have to say I was surprised by the lucidity and relevance of the content. Being that the Oath was written all the way back in the fifth century, I expected the piece to be more …show more content…
The current oath was more of what I expected, being that there are more modern words and the piece is more fitting to this day in age, although the original is very similar. At one point the writing mentions, “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.” I think this is an important aspect in the Oath because people should feel they are able to ask for help, especially if it is for the benefit of the patient’s recovery. Not asking questions and not knowing how to handle situations, can result in life-threatening conditions for the patient. Another aspect that stood out to me says, “I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know.” Personally I think this is one of the most important principles of the medical practice. Patient confidentiality is not only moral respect for the patient, but also builds a bond of trust between the patient and doctor. Individuals can be reluctant about giving out their information, in fear that it will affect their reputation, relationships, lifestyle, etc.. Altogether, the modern Hippocratic Oath is a well written pledge that holds many significant reminders and principles to help someone be successful in the medical …show more content…
For the most part, I think the Oath is a good representation of the principles in the medical world today, although there could be a couple tweaks made. One change I would make is throwing back in a section from the original oath about avoiding mischief for the benefit of the patient. The article, The Oath: Meaningless Relic or Invaluable Moral Guide? states, “Yet paradoxically, even as the modern oath's use has burgeoned, its content has tacked away from the classical oath's basic tenets. According to a 1993* survey of 150 U.S. and Canadian medical schools, for example… a mere 3 percent forbid sexual contact with patients” (Tyson 1). The first priority for the doctor should be to get their patient back to good health quickly without any distractions. Another change or improvement I would consider is to make the oath more brief. The article also says, “Indeed, a growing number of physicians have come to feel that the Hippocratic Oath is inadequate to address the realities of a medical world that has witnessed huge scientific, economic, political, and social changes” (Tyson 1). I agree with this statement because the medical world is constantly changing because there are new technologies and breakthroughs everyday. Therefore, I would say the Oath should be more brief so only the basic principles would be
To start off, after carefully reading the original Hippocratic Oath, I have to say I was surprised by the lucidity and relevance of the content. Being that the Oath was written all the way back in the fifth century, I expected the piece to be more …show more content…
The current oath was more of what I expected, being that there are more modern words and the piece is more fitting to this day in age, although the original is very similar. At one point the writing mentions, “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.” I think this is an important aspect in the Oath because people should feel they are able to ask for help, especially if it is for the benefit of the patient’s recovery. Not asking questions and not knowing how to handle situations, can result in life-threatening conditions for the patient. Another aspect that stood out to me says, “I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know.” Personally I think this is one of the most important principles of the medical practice. Patient confidentiality is not only moral respect for the patient, but also builds a bond of trust between the patient and doctor. Individuals can be reluctant about giving out their information, in fear that it will affect their reputation, relationships, lifestyle, etc.. Altogether, the modern Hippocratic Oath is a well written pledge that holds many significant reminders and principles to help someone be successful in the medical …show more content…
For the most part, I think the Oath is a good representation of the principles in the medical world today, although there could be a couple tweaks made. One change I would make is throwing back in a section from the original oath about avoiding mischief for the benefit of the patient. The article, The Oath: Meaningless Relic or Invaluable Moral Guide? states, “Yet paradoxically, even as the modern oath's use has burgeoned, its content has tacked away from the classical oath's basic tenets. According to a 1993* survey of 150 U.S. and Canadian medical schools, for example… a mere 3 percent forbid sexual contact with patients” (Tyson 1). The first priority for the doctor should be to get their patient back to good health quickly without any distractions. Another change or improvement I would consider is to make the oath more brief. The article also says, “Indeed, a growing number of physicians have come to feel that the Hippocratic Oath is inadequate to address the realities of a medical world that has witnessed huge scientific, economic, political, and social changes” (Tyson 1). I agree with this statement because the medical world is constantly changing because there are new technologies and breakthroughs everyday. Therefore, I would say the Oath should be more brief so only the basic principles would be