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Lewis, M.A., & Tamparo, C. D. (2012). Medical law, ethics, and bioethics for the health professions. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Codes of Ethics

1. Hippocratic Oath, Classical and Modern Version 2. American Association of Medical Assistants (AMAA) 3. Principles of Medical Ethics: American Medical Association

1. HIPPOCRATIC OATH, CLASSICAL VERSION*

I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfil according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:

To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partner- ship with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art if they desire to learn it without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken an oath according to the medical law, but to no one else.

I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.

I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.

I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.

Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all inten- tional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves .

What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.

*From Ludwig, E.: The Hippocratic Oath. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins Universi ty Press, 1943; and Lasagna, L.: A modern version of the Hippocratic Oath. Tufts University Medical School, 1964. Available at: www.medterms.com

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Ifl fulfil this oath and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; ifl transgress it and swear falsely, may the opposite of all this be my lot.

HIPPOCRATIC OATH, MODERN VERSION

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

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I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon’s knife or the chemist’s drug.

I will not be ashamed to say “I know not,” nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient’s recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters oflife and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awe- some respo n sibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person’s family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, ifl am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure. I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow

human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm. Ifl do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with

affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

2. AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL ASSISTANTS (AAMA)* *

The Code of Ethics of the AAMA shall set forth principles of ethical and moral conduct as they relate to the medical profession and the particular practice of medical assisting.

Members of AAMA dedicated to the conscientious pursuit of their profession, and thus desiring to merit the high regard of the entire medical profession and the respect of the general public which they serve, do pledge themselves to strive always to:

A. render service with full respect for the dignity of humanity; B. respect confidential information obtained through employment unless legally authorized or

required by responsible performance of duty to divulge such information; C. uphold the honor and high principles of the profession and accept its disciplines; D.seek to continually improve the knowledge and skills of medical assistants for the benefit of

patients and professional colleagues; E. participate in additional service activities aimed toward improving the health and well-being

of the community. Creed I believe in the principles and purposes of the profession of medical assisting. I endeavor to be more effective.

**American Association of Medical Assistants, Chicago, IL, 1996-20 11. Reprinted with permission.

 

 

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I aspire to render greater service. I protect the confidence entrusted to me. I am dedicated to the care and well-being of all people. I am loyal to my employer. I am true to the ethics of my profession. I am strength ened by compassion, courage, and faith .

3. PRINCIPLES OF MEDICAL ETHICS: AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATIONt

Preamble The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patient. As a member of this profession, a physician must recognize responsibility to patients first and foremost, as well as to society, to other health professionals, and to self The following Principles adopted by the American Medical Association are not laws, but standards of conduct that define the essentials of honorable behavior for the physician. Principles of Medical Ethics

I. A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical care, with compassion and respect for human dignity and rights.

II. A physician shall uphold the standards of professionalism, be honest in all professional interactions, and strive to report physicians deficient in character or competence, or engaging in fraud or deception, to appropriate entities.

III. A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a res ponsibility to seek changes in those requirements which are contrary to the best interests of the patient.

IV. A physician shall respect the rights of patients, colleagues, and other health profes sionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences and privacy within the constraints of the law.

V. A physician shall continue to study, apply, and advance scientific knowledge, maintain a commitment to medical education, make relevant information available to patients, col- leagues, and the public, obtain consultation, and use the talents of other health profes- sionals when indicated.

VI . A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical care.

VII. A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to the improvemen t of the community and th e betterment of public health.

VIII. A physician shall, while caring for a patient, regard responsibility to the patient as para- mount.

IX. A physician shall support access to medical care for all people.

t From th e American Medical Association, adopted by the American Medical Association’s House of D elegates June 17, 2001. Reprinted with permission from American M edical Associatio n, Code of Medical Ethics, Copyright 2001.