Medical Ethics essays

Medical Ethics essays The Hippocratic oath has been used for centuries, and was created to provide standards for physicians in the past. The oath is still used today, but it is usually a revised version of the oath. There are opposing views on rather the oath should have been modernized or not, and rather the new modernized oath is equivalent to the qualities stressed in the original Oath. The father of medicine, Hippocrates, created the Hippocratic oath. The exact date is argued, some experts say it was established in the sixth century B.C. while others say it was the fourth century B.C. The original form of the Hippocratic oath doesnt allow abortion, euthanasia, surgical procedures, and sexual relations with patients. The oath has been used through decades and most medical schools to this day take a type of the Hippocratic oath. This oath has stood the test of time, but does undoubtedly need the reforms that have been applied through the years. Many argue that it is a tradition and should not be changed, but with advancing technology some parts must be changed. One aspect that should not be changed in the Hippocratic oath is do no harm. Doctors have control over many peoples lives daily, which provides them the knowledge and opportunity to either heal or kill. The Hippocratic oath stresses that a doctor should not use his or her skills to harm the patient. Doctors are expected to value humanity and provide compassionate care, and this is a major common understanding. Having one ethical guideline helps physicians to make the correct decisions. Hippocrates wanted people to trust and respect the person they trust with their life to; therefore, he established an ethical guideline. The Hippocratic oath was first changed due to the Nuremberg trials. It was revised to prevent physicians from discrimination, and not providing the same care to all people. This fi ...