Oath of Hippocrates

[HussainGQ]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Do osteopathic physicians take the Oath of Hippocrates upon completing their education, or do they have their own creed??

 

[dr.z]

Do osteopathic physicians take the Oath of Hippocrates upon completing their education, or do they have their own creed??

I thought they did during the white coat ceremony. I guess whoever is in Osteo school can tell us.

 

[Freeeedom!]

Nope, you take the Osteopathic Oath. Pretty much the same thing.

 

[OnMyWayThere]

I have a question... is what is written below the "Hippocrates Oath" that physicians swear by... and if so, why are physicians allowed to perform abortions if swear to the following and it says that we will perform abortions???

I SWEAR by Apollo the physician, and Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that, according to my ability and judgment, I will keep this Oath and this stipulation- to reckon him who taught me this Art equally dear to me as my parents, to share my substance with him, and relieve his necessities if required; to look upon his offspring in the same footing as my own brothers, and to teach them this art, if they shall wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every other mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and those of my teachers, and to disciples bound by a stipulation and oath according to the law of medicine, but to none others. I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous. I will give no deadly medicine to any one if asked, nor suggest any such counsel; and in like manner I will not give to a woman a pessary to produce abortion. With purity and with holiness I will pass my life and practice my Art. I will not cut persons laboring under the stone, but will leave this to be done by men who are practitioners of this work. Into whatever houses I enter, I will go into them for the benefit of the sick, and will abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption; and, further from the seduction of females or males, of freemen and slaves. Whatever, in connection with my professional practice or not, in connection with it, I see or hear, in the life of men, which ought not to be spoken of abroad, I will not divulge, as reckoning that all such should be kept secret. While I continue to keep this Oath unviolated, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and the practice of the art, respected by all men, in all times! But should I trespass and violate this Oath, may the reverse be my lot!

 

[Ypo.]

Onmywaythere, I might be wrong on this, but I'm pretty sure MDs don't swear by the hippocratic oath anymore, they have changed it to something else. I was present at my mothers graduation from medical school (MD) and I distinctly remember being surprised by this.

 

[underAchiever]

Neither do they "share their substance with him (who taught him the art), and relieve his necessities if required". One of the setbacks of swearing by a 2500 years old code.

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Neither do they "share their substance with him (who taught him the art), and relieve his necessities if required". One of the setbacks of swearing by a 2500 years old code.

DO's have a separate oath. And as far as I understand, the oath that the MDs take is still called the Hippocratic oath, though it is only a shell of its former self. Not sure, though, cuz I'm not an MD student.

 

[bigmuny]

Some (MD) schools use the hippocratic oath or a version of it, others don't and have their own oath. DO schools all use the osteopathic oath I believe. These oaths mean nothing legally or professionally and are entirely ceremonial. Interestingly, the administration of the hippocratic oath is largely an american ritual, though it seems like it is steeped in thousands of years of history. More interestingly there is quite a bit of debate among medical historians as to whether hippocrates ever existed, or was a fictional character.

 

[ArmyDoc1999]

This is the Osteopathic Oath:

I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter. I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and the life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature's laws and the body's inherent capacity for recovery.

I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will in any way bring shame or discredit upon myself or my profession. I will give no drugs for deadly purposes to any person, though it may be asked of me.

I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation, and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.

I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me. I will be ever alert to further the application of basic biologic truths to the healing arts and to develop the principles of osteopathic medicine.

Have a great day!