Abstracts fra Bibliotek for Læger 4/2007

Lægeløftet

 

Originalartikel: Den hippokratiske ed i Antikken.

Kirsten Jungersen:

The hippocratic oath in Antiquity

Bibl Læger 2007;199:313–28.

In this article, the classical Greek doctor’s oath is reanalysed and retranslated into Danish. This was last done about 100 years ago. A new perspective of the origin of the oath suggests that it should not only be named “the so-called hippocratic oath”, but that it may actually be regarded as “the true hippocratic oath” and should be interpreted in the context of the world of Hippocrates during the 5th century BC. One of the ethical rules deserves special attention. Does the prohi­bition of “cutting” refer to surgical intervention in general, cutting for bladder stones, or, as suggested by the author, castration?

 

Originalartikel: Det værdifulde danske lægeløfte.

Torben E. Andreasen:

The valuable Danish doctor’s oath

Bibl Læger 2007;199:329–46.

The Danish doctor’s oath is seen as a revolutionary achievement. It was launched in 1815, but is still of great value. Of great value: the article analyses the oath as a system of values contrary to the hippocratic oath. The Danish oath is not an updated version of the hip­pocratic oath. The latter is a system of historical and cultural norms, whereas the Danish oath is a unique value system. The article deals with values such as equality and the value of benefiting fellow human beings. It is claimed that commercialization of the medical profession is anathema to the Danish doctor’s oath.

 

Originalartikel: Lægeløftet i et internationalt perspektiv.

Henrik R. Wulff:

The contents of the doctor’s oath from an international perspective

Bibl Læger 2007, 199: 347–58.

A number of the doctor’s oaths (including the Declaration of Geneva of WMA), which are used in different countries, are compared. These vows stress different aspects of the ethics of clinical practice, but apart from pledges dealing with abortion and euthanasia, the contents are largely non-controversial. It is noticeable that only a few vows mention the physician’s duty to respect the patient’s autonomy and to obtain an informed consent. The vow used in Denmark was introduced in 1815, whereas the others (nine from various European countries and four from the US) were written or revised after the Second World War. Doctor’s oaths are mainly of a symbolic value, and it is not recommended that the short Danish vow is modernized

 

Originalartikel: Lægeløftet på Danmarks ældste lægeskole. Fra dekanens bord I.
Ulla Wewer:

The doctor’s oath at Denmark’s oldest medical school

Bibl Læger 2007;199:359–65.

From a position as Dean of the Faculty of Health, University of Copenhagen, the author reflects upon the history and significance of the doctor’s oath for contemporary medical candidates. The setting surrounding the ceremony – the university’s ceremonial hall from 1836 – is especially highlighted.

 

Originalartikel: Rundt om lægeløftet. Fra dekanens bord II.

Mogens Hørder:

Around the Doctor’s oath

Bibl Læger 2007;199:366–73.

From a position as Dean of the Faculty of Health, University of South­ern Denmark, the author reflects upon the significance of the doctor’s oath for contemporary medical candidates. Examples are given from some of the 38 graduation speeches given thus far by the author.

 

Originalartikel: Lægestandens fødselsattest.

Hans Buhl:

The birth certificate of the Danish Medical Association

Bibl Læger 2007;199:374-9.

The Danish doctor’s oath is analyzed from the perspective of actual cases presented for the Ethical Committee of the Danish Medical Association (DMA). Special attention is drawn to professional secrecy and current dilemmas regarding the war against terror. The DMA Health Policy Declaration from 2007 is presented. This declaration is based on the statements and principles of the doctoral oath. The

Ethical Committee of DMA has formulated a number of medical rights and values. The principal values are: The Obligation to help, Professionalism, Autonomy, Justice, and Trustfulness.

Finally, it is argued that the doctoral oath is still meaningful and will probably continue to be so a century from now.

 

Originalartikel: Lægeløftet i en privatiseringstid

Ole J. Hartling:

Doctor’s oath in a time of privatization

Bibl Læger 2007;199:380–90.

In the Danish version of the hippocratic oath, the newly qualified ­physician among other things promises: “… always to care with equal conscientiousness for the poor and the rich without discrimination”. A similar pledge is given in the WMA Declaration of Geneva. The promises comply with the core values of the Danish National Health Service that services should be free at the point of delivery, ethically rationed, equitably resourced, and funded out of taxation. However, there are many signs that a market driven health care system is develop­ing in Denmark. Direct consumer advertising of health services has recently been permitted. Private hospitals and clinics are supported directly and indirectly by the government and are expanding. This makes it possible for individuals to jump queues with their ­money. With commercialisation and defensive medicine, a US-style ­health care system is approaching. The goals of publicly owned and privately owned health systems are indeed different, the first being based on equity and solidarity and the second on maximising the wealth of investors and employees. The question is raised whether the promise of non-discrimination of the hippocratic oath can be kept within a health system that is increasingly privatised.

 

Interview: Ve og velfærd. En samtale om at skrive den danske lægestands nyere historie.

Redaktionen

 

Forsidebillede: Hippokrates, ophavsmand til Antikkens  hippokratiske ed, som danner grundlag for det danske lægeløfte fra 1815. (Medicinsk Museion).