Introduction
The Hippocratic Oath, written by Hippocrates in the fourth century B.C., is considered the ethical code of the medical profession. Its principles and rules shaped the ideals of the medical profession. The oath promotes charity, morality, secrecy, and respect for instructors. However, in the age of social media, misinterpretation and misperception of the Hippocratic Oath have led to unreasonable expectations and criticism of medical professionals by Twitter users.
Main Body
I was most struck by the Hippocratic Oath, written in the 4th century B.C. Having read its full text, several points resonated with me. For example, the oath strongly emphasizes the principle of mercy in the sentence, “Into whatever house I enter, I will join for the good of the sick, being far from anything intentional” (McCollough Scholars, 2023). The oath also emphasizes moral issues, such as not allowing intimate relationships with patients and maintaining confidentiality, which is very important in the medical profession. I was also surprised that the oath emphasizes respect for one’s teachers, who taught one such a difficult profession as medicine.
Going to the Twitter site and opening posts with the hashtag #HippocraticOath, people can see many misinterpretations of the oath itself by users. Most positions convey improper or substandard medical care or refusal to hospitalize a patient. Users express their outrage, adding at the end that the doctor took the Hippocratic oath and is obligated to treat him regardless of the problem.
Sometimes, situations get to the point of absurdity; for example, one user named Jay was outraged that the urologist refused to examine his chest X-rays because it was not his specialty. The user argued his complaint with the fact that the doctor took the Hippocratic oath and, according to it, is obliged to treat any disease, regardless of whether it is his specialty or another. The pledge states the principle of doing no harm, which the doctor did by failing to consult on a matter in which he was unsure.
Conclusion
The Hippocratic Oath’s focus on compassion, morality, and professional integrity remains relevant in medicine today. Misinterpretations of social media ideas have led to high expectations and user dissatisfaction. Remember that the oath encourages responsible medical care, valuing expertise and patient well-being. As we traverse the digital world, seeking a nuanced understanding of the oath’s genuine objective is vital, as is not falling victim to false interpretations that undermine medical practice’s complexity.
Reference
McCollough Scholars. (2023). Hippocratic Oath. Web.