My input: in the closing sentence: "I will always act to preserve the finest traditions of my calling, and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.", I am not sure the word traditions is the best word. Tradition is often a barrier to progress, even when it is fine." And for the second half of that sentence, "I would say may I long experience the meaning and the joy of helping those who seek my help to thrive." In primary care I did not "heal" many of my patients, but I did "help" most of them. And thriving is measured in the eye of the patient.
I have a friend who is a nurse. She is a very devout Christian and always refused to work in gynecology because she didn't want to take part in any abortion procedures.
It's not just the doctor that needs to keep to his or hers moral standards, but the institution they are working at has to let them too.
This is great, Adam. Here is my take on your oath, with a few updates shaped by my experience in oncology:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will use the best available evidence for the benefit of my patients, while remaining humble about the limits of science and my own judgment.
I will avoid both overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will consider whether each test and treatment is likely to improve the life of the person before me, not simply alter a result.
I will remember that I treat a human being, not a scan, laboratory value, or diagnosis. Illness affects families, finances, independence, identity, and the parts of life each patient most hopes to preserve.
I will listen before I recommend. I will explain benefits, harms, and uncertainty clearly, and I will make decisions with my patients, guided by both medical evidence and their values.
I will never be ashamed to say, “I do not know.” I will seek the expertise of others, welcome second opinions, and revise my recommendations when better evidence or judgment requires it.
I will distinguish what is proven from what is promising. I will neither deprive patients of hope nor offer hope unsupported by evidence.
I will respect patient autonomy while remaining responsible for clear and honest guidance.
I will remember that when cure is no longer possible, I can still relieve suffering, preserve dignity, provide clarity, and remain present.
I will acknowledge my errors, learn from them, and continue to improve throughout my career.
I will treat every patient with the honesty, diligence, and compassion I would want for someone I love.
And I will strive each day to remain worthy of the trust placed in me.
Remember that the original oath starts not with our relationship with our patients, but our relationship with our mentors and students:
"To consider dear to me as my parents him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and if necessary to share my goods with him; to look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art if they so desire without fee or written promise; to impart to my sons and the sons of the master who taught me and to the disciples who have enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules of the profession, but to these alone, the precepts and the instruction."
The apprenticeship model is essential to the practice of medicine and all physicians need to devote some of their time to teaching the next generation. As a medical educator myself, I experience how difficult it is to convince the majority of doctors to accept students for their clinical rotations. I have been at clinical sites where students and residents are placed but are not actively taught or adequately supervised to provide an effective and safe learning environment. I have noticed that some of the corporations buying up medical practices are discouraging or disallowing medical students to train in their offices, arguing that it reduces productivity (studies I've read show either no effect or positive effects). It is essential to keep that reverence for our teachers, our commitment to lifelong learning and the promise to teach the next generation as a prelude to the care of patients.
I like this update. Rather more relevant to practice in 2026.
My only suggestion: “My patient’s values” is referred to only once and only to this extent. I think its place in EBM deserves a more prominent nod, as you allude to both the art and science of modern medicine.
Thanks for your effort to try to renew the Hippokrates oath. Here in Germany most faculties use the declaration of Geneva, what we call pledge of Geneva (Genfer Gelöbnis). But I agree with you: a new declaretion/a modern form cannot be formulated by a single person alone (even you). In my opinion some adverbs are wrong, some passages are a bit long, other important items are missing (e.g. taking care of our ohne health, taking responsibility for coming (medical) generations, all men are equal, and for sure many more, where there should be discussed, what must be included and what can be left out that it's not to long). This workshop must be international with doctors (and students?) from many different backrounds. But this will very propably stay a dream.
Just unhappy with “The medical decisions I make will be guided by my expertise and my patients’ values.”.. We are in 2026 and I think something along these lines would be more appropriate: I acknowledge that all decisions on testing and treatment are those of my patient, to be based on their informed preferences, and that my task is to use my knowledge and expertise to ensure they form these preferences on the best available evidence.
It’s too long and so 2026. It’ll be outdated with the next social media whim.
Stick with the original. It’s succinct. there is not a precept we can’t honor or respect or discuss. Swearing to Apollo is as good as swearing to the Helsinki convention or whatever else is in vogue. And it honors the timeless fraternity (gender neutral) of our profession.
"I will remember that I always have more to offer a person in poor health than one who is healthy."
Although generally we do have more to offer those in poor health, often we have the most to offer to those healthy persons succoring the patient.
My input: in the closing sentence: "I will always act to preserve the finest traditions of my calling, and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.", I am not sure the word traditions is the best word. Tradition is often a barrier to progress, even when it is fine." And for the second half of that sentence, "I would say may I long experience the meaning and the joy of helping those who seek my help to thrive." In primary care I did not "heal" many of my patients, but I did "help" most of them. And thriving is measured in the eye of the patient.
I will never take an action which I feel is morally wrong
I have a friend who is a nurse. She is a very devout Christian and always refused to work in gynecology because she didn't want to take part in any abortion procedures.
It's not just the doctor that needs to keep to his or hers moral standards, but the institution they are working at has to let them too.
But neither insurance companies nor administrators take or heed such an oath.
They count on us to remain ethical.
That is a major modern problem.
This is great, Adam. Here is my take on your oath, with a few updates shaped by my experience in oncology:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:
I will use the best available evidence for the benefit of my patients, while remaining humble about the limits of science and my own judgment.
I will avoid both overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will consider whether each test and treatment is likely to improve the life of the person before me, not simply alter a result.
I will remember that I treat a human being, not a scan, laboratory value, or diagnosis. Illness affects families, finances, independence, identity, and the parts of life each patient most hopes to preserve.
I will listen before I recommend. I will explain benefits, harms, and uncertainty clearly, and I will make decisions with my patients, guided by both medical evidence and their values.
I will never be ashamed to say, “I do not know.” I will seek the expertise of others, welcome second opinions, and revise my recommendations when better evidence or judgment requires it.
I will distinguish what is proven from what is promising. I will neither deprive patients of hope nor offer hope unsupported by evidence.
I will respect patient autonomy while remaining responsible for clear and honest guidance.
I will remember that when cure is no longer possible, I can still relieve suffering, preserve dignity, provide clarity, and remain present.
I will acknowledge my errors, learn from them, and continue to improve throughout my career.
I will treat every patient with the honesty, diligence, and compassion I would want for someone I love.
And I will strive each day to remain worthy of the trust placed in me.
So good. Thanks.
One of my colleagues suggested this as an addition
"I will only invest in shares with a good return.
I will only drink vintage wines.
I will sub-specialise to the point of being a technician.
I will not answer my phone when not on call."
I suspect he was being sarcastic!
I like it, I would always add avoiding the trap of undue influence by the money and power of pharmaceutical and device companies.
But again, brevity is always preferable and this may fall under another trap to avoid.
beautiful Dr. Cifu ❤️
Seems pretty good to me, I would renew this oath.
Remember that the original oath starts not with our relationship with our patients, but our relationship with our mentors and students:
"To consider dear to me as my parents him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and if necessary to share my goods with him; to look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art if they so desire without fee or written promise; to impart to my sons and the sons of the master who taught me and to the disciples who have enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules of the profession, but to these alone, the precepts and the instruction."
The apprenticeship model is essential to the practice of medicine and all physicians need to devote some of their time to teaching the next generation. As a medical educator myself, I experience how difficult it is to convince the majority of doctors to accept students for their clinical rotations. I have been at clinical sites where students and residents are placed but are not actively taught or adequately supervised to provide an effective and safe learning environment. I have noticed that some of the corporations buying up medical practices are discouraging or disallowing medical students to train in their offices, arguing that it reduces productivity (studies I've read show either no effect or positive effects). It is essential to keep that reverence for our teachers, our commitment to lifelong learning and the promise to teach the next generation as a prelude to the care of patients.
We stand on shoulders of giants...
I like this update. Rather more relevant to practice in 2026.
My only suggestion: “My patient’s values” is referred to only once and only to this extent. I think its place in EBM deserves a more prominent nod, as you allude to both the art and science of modern medicine.
Dear Adam,
Thanks for your effort to try to renew the Hippokrates oath. Here in Germany most faculties use the declaration of Geneva, what we call pledge of Geneva (Genfer Gelöbnis). But I agree with you: a new declaretion/a modern form cannot be formulated by a single person alone (even you). In my opinion some adverbs are wrong, some passages are a bit long, other important items are missing (e.g. taking care of our ohne health, taking responsibility for coming (medical) generations, all men are equal, and for sure many more, where there should be discussed, what must be included and what can be left out that it's not to long). This workshop must be international with doctors (and students?) from many different backrounds. But this will very propably stay a dream.
I would have a hell of a time, memorizing your insightful and perspicacious remarks if required at medical school graduation.😁
My modification of the more acceptable “first do no harm“ is as follows:
“ intend only good for the patient, should harm occur, learn from it”
Ben Hourani MBA
Before taking any action, I will always ask myself if any harm could come of it.
Just unhappy with “The medical decisions I make will be guided by my expertise and my patients’ values.”.. We are in 2026 and I think something along these lines would be more appropriate: I acknowledge that all decisions on testing and treatment are those of my patient, to be based on their informed preferences, and that my task is to use my knowledge and expertise to ensure they form these preferences on the best available evidence.
Excellent
Adam,
It’s too long and so 2026. It’ll be outdated with the next social media whim.
Stick with the original. It’s succinct. there is not a precept we can’t honor or respect or discuss. Swearing to Apollo is as good as swearing to the Helsinki convention or whatever else is in vogue. And it honors the timeless fraternity (gender neutral) of our profession.
I agree that it's a bit long.
And not all countries have insurance companies dictating what a doctor can or cannot do.