declaration of Geneva

Introduction

Contemporary successor to the 2500-year-old Hippocratic Oath

Adopted by the World Medical Association (WMA) at its 2nd General Assembly in 1948; ammended several times, latest in Oct 2017

As a member of the medical profession

I pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity

The health & well-being of my patient is my first consideration

I will

• respect autonomy & dignity of my patient;
• maintain respect for human life
• respect secrets confided in me, even after death of patient
• practice my profession with conscience & dignity and in accordance with good medical practice
• foster honor & noble traditions of the medical profession
• give to my teachers, colleagues, & students due respect & gratitude
• share my medical knowledge for the benefit of patient(s) & the advancement of healthcare
• attend to my own health, well-being, & abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;

I will NOT

• permit considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing, or any other factor to intervene between my duty & my patient;
• use my medical knowledge to violate human rights & civil liberties, even under threat;

I make these promises solemnly, freely, & upon my honor.