El juramento hipocrático: una ética para hoy

Abstract

After a brief historical reminder of how the so-called “technical”, “scientific” or “Hippocratic” medicine emerged in year 500 B.C., and who was Hippocrates, its most representative figure, the votes collective known as the Hippocratic Oath are analyzed. Ethical teachings still in force in our days in the physicians’ conduct and daily work are emphasized, such as fidelity and allegiance to their mission of dignifying the –either sick or healthy– person’s life, without any other concern than the full wellbeing of their patients intervening in their duties.

This goes along with the unavoidable individualization, not only of both the ailing or the sane and their particular clinical conditions and treatment but, most important, of the physician as well, since self-individualization is necessary for doctors to assess if they are academically and emotionally capable of undertaking the care of those who look for their professional services. Then there is respect and concern for human life from initiation to end either by disease or mere exhaustion of biological reserves, while rejecting, for anthropological and professional reasons, anything that may threaten existence – like, abortion, or euthanasia, or the artificial prolongation of agony. Attention is strongly given to the meaning of secrecy and the obligation of keeping it zealously as one of the most essential foundations of trust between doctors and patients, since confidence is fundamental for the successful fulfillment of the physician’s work. Gratitude towards teachers is included, as well as the need of a “medical brotherhood” involving fair and respectful treatment among colleagues, avoiding gossip and slander since they may often be unjust and erode reliance in the medical activity. Due respect to other physicians must not be mistaken for covering up or concealing actions in conflict with ethics or against the basic and scientific principles governing professional exercise; it means that they should be made known but only to the relevant authorities for examination, analysis, and proper sanction if so deserved.