What do they call the oath that all physicians have to take and how do the words go?

First and Current Oaths

The Hippocratic Oath
5th Century B.C.
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I swear by Apollo the physician, by Aesculapius, and Health, and All-heal, and all the gods and goddesses, that according to my ability and my judgement, 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 wish to learn it, without fee or stipulation; and that by precept, lecture, and every mode of instruction, I will impart a knowledge of the Art to my own sons, and 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 or regimen which, according to my ability and judgement, 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 labouring 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 service, 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.

Hippocratic Oath (named for Hippocrates the father of medicine)...but which version? There is the classic and then the modern day.

Classical Version

Modern Version

LOL.. sorry Georgia, I beat you!

Does the physician have to take this oath by law or to get a license? The reason I ask is I'm writing questions for a debate on Euthanasia and want to write one question related to the oath. But if it's not a requirement that it will be a moot question. Plus, it seems to me that an oath like that would have all kinds of religious conflicts for some physicians.

No, they do not. It is included in most graduation ceremonies, and often even at some earlier point, but it is not a legal requirement (at least not in every part of the country).

What religious conflicts are you referring to?

Yeah, I noticed that Sher...just goes to show that we are on top of the game when it comes to medical questions!

Methos, probably the part of the oath referring to gods and goddesses is what causes the religious conflicts. But that is the orginal oath and the modern day oath does not mention that.

Bill...check out this page taken from the above site I posted. Meaningless Relic? Basically it says that today, almost 100% graduating medical-school students swear to some form of the oath, usually a modernized version and that according to a 1993 survey of 150 U.S. and Canadian medical schools, for example, only 14 percent of modern oaths prohibit euthanasia, 11 percent hold convenant with a deity, 8 percent foreswear abortion, and a mere 3 percent forbid sexual contact with patients -- all maxims held sacred in the classical version.

Thanks you guys. If only 14% of modern oaths prohibit euthanasia, than I guess that makes the question that I wanted to use moot. You've answered my question. I guess I'll have to come up with something else for my project.

What kinda project are you working on Bill?

It's just a little informal debate with some people online.

It's part of most med school graduation ceremonies. I found it mostly moving and inspiring, and in some parts amusing. It has no legal standing whatever. Physicians talk about, and are reminded of their oath in various contexts. But the extent to which it is really considered some sort of binding contract is only the extent to which it is interalized by a given doc. And those that internalize it (whatever I mean by that) don't really need to have taken the oath in the first place. One gets it, or one doesn't. It is in fact not in any way contractual. Whether one says it or ignores it at graduation time is of no actual significance.

Thanks Sid. I was wondering how it could be a binding contract. There are some things the way it's worded that I know some doctors would have personal conflicts with. There's no way all doctors would live up to it and if it was a legally binding contract you'd think you'd hear about it more. But since it isn't I guess that answers that.