Corpus Hipocraticum originated in ancient Greece between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. In our culture, it is the original point of all medical oaths and codes.
Throughout history, this oath has changed frequently, but at the congress of the International Union of Medical Societies in Geneva in 1948, the final oath that is used today was established, the Geneva Oath:
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- “AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION: I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due; I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity; THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration; I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me; I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the medical profession; MY COLLEAGUES will be my sisters and brothers; 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 and my patient; I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life; I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely and upon my honour.“
Oath of Psychotherapy Profession:
“AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC PROFESSION: I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to consecrate my life to the service of humanity; I WILL GIVE to my teachers the respect and gratitude that is their due; I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity; THE HEALTH OF MY PATIENT / CLIENT – child, adolescent, it’s family will be my first consideration; I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, in accordance with the code of ethics and in the best interests of the child; I WILL MAINTAIN by all the means in my power, the honour and the noble traditions of the psychotherapy vocation, including working with colleagues toward a common goal; MY COLLEAGUES will be my sisters and brothers; 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 and my patient / client; I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life; I WILL NOT USE my psychotherapeutic knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat; I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely and upon my honour.“