Toward the conclusion of medical school, an oath is usually taken by the graduates–a symbolic commitment to their calling and a promise to guide their medical careers.

For years I had the impression that everyone either took the Hippocratic Oath or the Oath of Maimonides.  However, in researching this blog I learned there are many more options and came upon some interesting statistics. Until recently, about half of medical graduates took some version of the Hippocratic Oath, with the other half adopting the Declaration of Geneva, the Oath of Maimonides, and various others. 

At my medical school, we took the Oath of Maimonides which always resonated with me. 

Its elegant simplicity, coupled with the memorable phrase "I have been appointed to watch over the life and death of my fellow human beings," consistently served as an enduring anchor to my calling. The sacredness of this solemn duty never failed to ground me, especially during the most challenging moments of my practice. 

However, the Hippocratic Oath includes seeking help from colleagues when necessary, something important to remember and employ.  While the Declaration of Geneva incorporates a commitment to attend to one’s own health and well-being, in order to provide care at the highest standard.

Over time, the landscape has evolved, and many medical schools now encourage the graduating class to create their own personalized oath.  While students may still find inspiration in traditional oaths as a starting point, they often incorporate other principles with more modern sensibilities, like self-care and social justice.

Whether you’ve considered it or not, you have foundational precepts that guide your practice of medicine and your personal life. Do they still echo with remnants of the oath you took? What else do they consist of? Perhaps those famous words (believed to have been added to the Hippocratic Oath in the 17th century),  “First do no harm”? 

So here is an invitation: Craft your own personal oath as a commitment to your purpose. A statement to guide you back to your values during times of stress. A statement to celebrate the joys of your chosen path and to cushion the tragedies that we all witness in our work.

Use one of the traditional oaths if they inspire you but infuse it with your particular values, goals, dreams, and even aspects of your non-medical life. Allow your oath to evolve alongside you. 

As you shape your oath, remember to balance your highest ideals with reality and self-compassion. Perfection can be rigid and unattainable, so consider incorporating phrases like "progress, not perfection" to embrace growth and flexibility. Your current oath will likely have more nuance than the one you made in your youth, but let it retain its guiding light without totally losing the idealism.

Formalize your oath by repeating it regularly, allowing it to permeate your consciousness and become a source of strength during times of need. Your oath will act as a reminder of your purpose, helping you navigate challenges and realign your actions with your values whenever you stray off course.

Questions to consider: 

What does it mean to me to be a physician?

What is my mission and vision?

What are my deepest values?

What language of other oaths do I want to include?

What personal requirements enable me to serve effectively?

What other factors are vital in creating the life I yearn for?  else is of the greatest importance to create the life I (want) yearn for?

Mine still includes that line from Maimonides, even though I am no longer in practice. A calling may transform but it never vanishes completely. 

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