History
It is necessary to understand the current culture of medical profession when approaching the issue of patient safety. The history of medical profession, as a profession, constitutes the solid base of its current culture. In this section we shortly discuss the contribution of Hippocrates and his strong influence in building the medical profession.
Hippocrates (460–377 BC) is considered to be the father of the medical profession. He was born on the island of Cos and diedat an old age in Larissa.
He lived in the 5th century BC, the "golden era" of Greek history and createda famous medical school on Cos around 430 BC. Hippocrates regarded the patient as a whole and promoted a holistic approachin medical science. He proposed a detailed history taking from the patient, evaluation of the symptoms, and performing a meticulous clinical examination by inspection, auscultation, and palpation. He believed the physician’s role lies in helping the therapeutic power of nature, which gradually results in the patient’s health. Hippocrates took into consideration the existing knowledge of medicine and changed the course of medical practice. He supported the idea thatmedical treatment must depend on clinical observation and experimentation, and separated medicine from philosophical speculations, superstitions, magic, and religion. He set the grounds for medicine to develop as a systematic science. Hippocrates was deeply concerned about medical ethics and believed that in order to cure a patientthe doctor should know him well. TheHippocratic Oath which includes the codes of medical conductand attitude, has served as a very solid platform of medical profession during the centuries (1).
Hippocratic Oath
The original version of the Hippocratic Oath translated by J Chadwick and WN Mann in 1950 is as follow:
“I swear by Apollo the healer, by Aesculapius, by Health and all the powers of healing, and call to witness all the gods and goddesses that I may keep this Oath and Promise to the best of my ability and judgment.
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I will pay the same respect to my master in the Science as to my parents and share my life with him and pay all my debts to him. I will regard his sons as my brothers and teach them the Science, if they desire to learn it, without fee or contract. I will hand on precepts, lectures and all other learning to my sons, to those of my master and to those pupils duly apprenticed and sworn, and to none other.
I will use my power to help the sick to the best of my ability and judgment; I will abstain from harming or wronging any man by it.
I will not give a fatal draught to anyone if I am asked, nor will I suggest any such thing. Neither will I give a woman means to procure an abortion.
I will be chaste and religious in my life and in my practice.
I will not cut, even for the stone, but I will leave such procedures to the practitioners of that craft.
Whenever I go into a house, I will go to help the sick and never with the intention of doing harm or injury. I will not abuse my position to indulge in sexual contacts with the bodies of women or of men, whether they be freemen or slaves.
Whatever I see or hear, professionally or privately, which ought not to be divulged, I will keep secret and tell no one.
If, therefore, I observe this Oath and do not violate it, may I prosper both in my life and in my profession, earning good repute among all men for my time. If I transgress and forswear this oath, may my lot be otherwise.”
The importance of the Oath was twofold; firstly it constituted a strong profession of the followers of Asclepius, and secondly this profession for the first time in the history was completely dedicated to life and aiming only to cure under all circumstances. The Hippocratic Oath became the essence of all ethical codes and medical professional standards for all years to come
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1103798).
Classically, there were only three professions: divinity, medicine, and law.
Professional autonomy, which is a quite central concept in professions, includes independency and self-regulation “without undue outside influence”.
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Declaration of Madrid
World Medical Association (WMA) is considered to be the body of the medical profession in the present time. As the global professional body WMA regulates and coordinates the ethical and practical codes of the medical profession in our modern society. “The declaration of Madrid”, produced by WMA, may be regarded as the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath. A survey of
“Declaration of Madrid on Professionally-led Regulation”, which in October 2009 was adopted by WMA general assembly, illustrates the very components of the codes of the medical profession.
“WMA Declaration of Madrid on Professionally-led Regulation:
The collective action by the medical profession seeking for the benefit of patients, in assuming responsibility for implementing a system of professionally-led regulation will enhance and assure the individual physician's right to treat patients without interference, based on his or her best clinical judgment. Therefore, the WMA urges the national medical associations and all physicians to take the following actions.
1. Physicians have been granted by society a high degree of professional autonomy and clinical independence, whereby they are able to make recommendations based on the best interests of their patients without undue outside influence.
2. As a corollary to the right of professional autonomy and clinical independence, the medical profession has a continuing responsibility to be self-regulating. Ultimate control and decision-making authority must rest with physicians, based on their specific medical training, knowledge, experience and expertise.
3. Physicians in each country are urged to establish, maintain and actively participate in a legitimate system of professionally-led regulation. This dedication is to ultimately assure full clinical independence in patient care decisions.
4. To avoid being influenced by the inherent potential conflicts of interest that will arise from assuming both representational and regulatory duties, National Medical Associations must do their utmost to promote and support the concept of professionally-led regulation amongst their membership and the public.
5. Any system of professionally-led regulation must ensure a) the quality of the care provided to patients, b) the competence of the physician providing that care and c) the professional conduct of physician.
To ensure the patient quality continuing care, physicians must
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participate actively in the process of Continuing Professional Development in order to update and maintain their clinical knowledge, skills and competence.
6. The professional conduct of physicians must always be within the bounds of the Code of Ethics governing physicians in each country.
National Medical Associations must promote professional and ethical conduct among physicians for the benefit of their patients. Ethical violations must be promptly recognized and reported. The physicians who have erred must be appropriately disciplined and where possible be rehabilitated.
7. National Medical Associations are urged to assist each other in coping with new and developing problems, including potential inappropriate threats to professionally-led regulation. The ongoing exchange of information and experiences between National Medical Associations is essential for the benefit of patients.
8. An effective and responsible system of professionally-led regulation by the medical profession in each country must not be self serving or internally protective of the profession, and the process must be fair, reasonable and sufficiently transparent to ensure this. National Medical Associations should assist their members in understanding that self-regulation cannot only be perceived as being protective of physicians, but must maintain the safety, support and confidence of the general public as well as the honour of the profession itself.”
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