INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL

ETHICS

Dr. Benjamin L Mtinangi

MEDICAL ETHIC CORORDINATOR
SEMESTER I & II

DEFINATION OF ETHICS

Ethics is defined as the Science of

MORALS or branch of Philosophy which is
concerned with human CHARACHER &
CONDUCT
Medical Ethics is a tradition that DOCTORS
observe certain high standards of
discipline, character and conduct.
By observing these standard, the Medical
profession become HONOURABLE
profession
This tradition has been handed over by one
generation to another
It is not exactly clear as to when it started

MEDICAL ETHICS CONT.

The earliest best known code was a CODE
OF HAMMURABI (2250 B.C)
It included a set of laws with
- Statement of medical fees
- A set of penalties

ETHICS CONT.

To impart onto his sons and the sons of the master

who taught me and the disciples who have
enrolled themselves and have agreed to the rules
of the profession..

THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH

This is the first written GREAT CODE of conduct of doctors

It is widely believed that OATH was written by Hippocrates,
who is considered The Father of Medicine
He lived, practiced medicine and taught medical student
between 460 370 BC
He is mentioned by Plato and Aristole who lived at the same
period
Similar Oath was administered before Hippocrates but it was
not handed over in writing
The work of Hippocrates made a complete break with the
past
Magical theories of disease were gone.
Hypocrates & other Greek doctors tried to discover natural
explanations for disease by studying their patients
Systematically observed and recorded the results ie they
did clinical observation

A CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
By Hippocrates time Greek doctors were
regarded as members of a skilled profession
So a high standard of conduct was expected
of them
First they must be well trained: He who is
going to learn medicine and become a
doctor must be intelligent & must be taught
well from his childhood

CODE OF BEHAVIOUR CONT

They were to be efficient & thoughtful:
A doctor must be able to remember all the drugs
and their uses. You must prepare your medicine in
good time. You must visit your patient often and
must be careful when you examine them. When
you enter a patients room be calm and remember
your bedside manners. Sometime the patient may
need comforting.

BEHAVIOUR CONT.

They were to behave correctly towards their

patients: I will swear by Apollo, Asclepios and
by all the gods that I will carry out this oath. I will
use treatment to help the sick according to my
ability and judgment but never with a view to
injury or wrong doing. I will not give poison to
anybody I will be pure and holy in my life and
practice. Whatever I see or hear professionally or
in my private life which ought not to be told I will
keep secrete.
This OATH is still taken today in a modified form
at various medical schools.