Saturday, 21 January 2012

The Hippocratic Oath


I am sat in the all modern lime and pink waiting room of a NHS breast clinic, I have never been to such a plush waiting room in my life with it's chic leather chairs and bold abstract art on the walls. I this is what private clinics look like.
There behind the receptions desk in large gold script is written

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.

I read this several times the words bring comfort to me as you can imagine I am rather nervous after all you don't attend the breast clinic for no reason and I have to say I was treated very well that day.

Hospital, The General Practitioner Surgery are no stranger to me, 90% of the time I am treated so badly, rashly, with contempt, no understanding, no sympathy and that I am wasting there time.
I come out feeling guilty, low and alone, often wondering why on earth did they become doctors if they simply don't care, do they actually remember the words of the oath?

For those that don't know the oath, I have posted it below..

A widely used modern version of the traditional oath was penned in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, this is what most younger doctor's that treat us today. Pledge to..

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
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.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of over treatment and therapeutic nihilism.

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.

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 patients recovery.

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 to 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.

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.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

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.
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.

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