Hippocratic Oath Analysis

The Hippocratic Oath acts as a code of ethics that argues that healthcare professionals should value respect, nonmaleficience, and beneficence, but some of these beliefs and ethics contradict other values such as freedom of choice, mandated reporter, and separation of church and state. This oath also includes the Greek Society 's ethical principles and social guidelines. The social guidelines of the Hippocratic Oath followed those in the medical profession. This oath was a guideline between medical professionals and how they were to treat patients within their scope of practice. The oath highlights most aspects that were expected of a medical professional during that time including having respect for all, trying their best in all their work,

In the third paragraph it describes how the professional will not partake in any kind of assisted suicide whether directly or indirectly, along with not performing an abortion (Chadwick and Mann 1950, par. 3). These are issues that are still around even today in our society. Considering the Greek 's ethical principles, it is safe to say they do not believe in performing such acts which is why it was included in the oath. In the fifth paragraph it is talking about going beyond the medical professional 's scope of practice in their work field (Chadwick and Mann 1950, par. 5). By comparison, a nurse would not be expected to perform surgery in the same way the oath is describing that the professional will not do the same also. The next paragraph describes an instance that is becoming more and more common which is abuse of power. A fraction of people who have high titles will use that to their advantage to take advantage of others who they see as weak or beneath them, this abuse in this case is sexual abuse. The person has declared that they will not sexual harass or assault anyone regardless of title (Chadwick and Mann 1950, par. 6). Lastly, an issue brought up is confidentiality. The person has promised to keep quiet in what they see or hear in their profession or private life. This means that he/she has sworn to the oath to give others the confidentiality they deserve. Although these are issues that have been brought up in the oath, there are still other issues that are in conflict with the oath including the liberty of choice and being a mandated reporter. The issue of choice has grown since the Greek Society and more people are leaning towards choice every day. The problem with choice is based on morals and ethics. Should doctors be allowed to assist in suicide and should abortions be allowed? According to the Greeks