Question

explain the Hippocratic Oath and discuss the modern codes of medical ethics which apply to the practice of medicine.

Answer 1

Answer:

Hippocratic Oath:

• Hippocratic Oath was the earliest code of ethics that was applied to medical physician profession and included their roles and responsibilities. The original Hippocratic oath was written in Greek between the 4th and 5th century BC.
• Hippocratic oath covered different clauses and principles of medical ethics like not to cause any deliberate harm to anyone, to prescribe regimen for the good of my patients.
• The oath has undergone many changes and modified versions are used in modern medicine.
• Deviating from principles set in the modernized versions of Hippocratic oath can be considered as mal-practice depending on the medical codes and ethics of a particular government and can be subjected to legal actions and penalties based on the law of the land.

Modern codes of medical ethics which apply to practice of medicine:

• Modern medical ethics provides a framework to facilitate resolution of ethical issues and includes fundamental principles like Respect for individual autonomy (respect patient's choices and take consent for any medical procedure, self-determination).
• Beneficence (work in the best interest of patient's care)
• Non-Maleficence (do not cause any deliberate harm to the patient and benefits of medical interventions should outweigh the risks involved)
• Justice: Treat all patients equally, allocate health resources equally irrespective of caste, creed or color of patients.