The American University of Beirut
Faculty of Medicine (FM) released a new version of the Hippocratic medical
oath, an expression of ideal conduct for physicians. The revised oath was
developed by a taskforce within the Salim El-Hoss Bioethics and Professionalism
Program. Medical graduates, in addition to third year medical students at the
White Coat Ceremony, recited the new oath and pledged to support and abide by
it.
The Hippocratic Oath was
introduced in ancient Greece as a guide to behavior. It is an oath taken by
physicians stating their intentions to practice medicine justly and ethically.
Many versions with slight variations have been incorporated in graduation
ceremonies of medical students over the past 500 years. In the 1940s, a modern
version of the oath was introduced as a symbol of ethics and has been used
since then.
The new AUB (FM) version of the
Hippocratic oath focuses on humanism, compassion, care and healing. It addresses two important tenets: benefiting
the ill and protecting patients against personal and social harm. The oath was altered to reflect the beliefs
prevalent at the Faculty of Medicine which are loyalty to the profession of
medicine and care for fellow human beings with compassion, empathy and
kindness.
