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The Hippocratic oath updated Could boost credibility of doctors

1994; BMJ; Volume: 309; Issue: 6959 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1136/bmj.309.6959.953

0959-8138

M P W. Platt, S Finner, N.J. Theaker, Raymond F. Raper, M. McD. Fisher,

Ethics in medical practice

EDITOR, - Eugene D Robin has done medicine a service by recasting the Hippocratic oath in a modern form.1 His suggestions tackle many of the ethical principles (respect for autonomy, beneficence, non- maleficence, justice, and scope) lucidly discussed by Raanon Gillon.1 I think, however, that two paragraphs are in danger of compromising the principle of autonomy - namely, the one relating to honesty with patients and the one starting, “I will do unto patients and their families only what I would want done unto me or my family.” This could be avoided by explicitly stating respect for autonomy in terms of imparting information and undertaking procedures. I also believe that there should be explicit mention of the need to relieve pain. To some extent this is encompassed in the seventh paragraph by the words “to …