Hippocratic Oath resonates strongly

Thank you for your efforts during the 2017-2018 academic year. Despite your incredibly busy schedules being filled with personal and professional obligations, you all found time for Schulich Medicine — Windsor Campus learners.  

Recently, I accompanied the fourth year class to London for their graduation ceremonies. This was the first time I experienced convocation as a faculty member, and I was not disappointed.

Nothing focuses our memories like milestone events. In witnessing the pride and admiration for the students from their friends and families, I could not help but recall my path through training. Especially memorable was observing the solemnity of the recital of the Hippocratic Oath. 

I would like to share with you my reflections as I witnessed this:

I solemnly pledge to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;

In an era where physicians feel underappreciated and overworked, this opening line especially spoke to me. It reminds me of why we do what we do. So much of time during our days are wasted on computer charting and satisfying documentation requirements that it can be easy to forget about this central premise. Paul Sax, an Infectious Diseases physician in Boston recently wrote on this topic in a blog I encourage you to read. Burning out is a complex phenomenon, but loss of the patient relationship must be part of it.

I will foster the honour and noble traditions of the medical profession;

The science of our profession is steeped in a warm cup of tradition and history. Despite medicine being filled with tales of errors and good intentions gone awry, no profession has earned and maintained the trust of the public like physicians have. Keep this trust. Use it to reenergize yourself when the days seems longer and the waiting rooms and waiting lists seem endless.

I will share my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of health care;

This is why we teach. This is why we sacrifice our time, energy and clinic flow to take learners under our wing. Sharing our knowledge has the immediate effect on patient care and asking the right questions of learners stimulates them to move our understanding of disease and healing from generation to generation.

I will attend to my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;

Take care of yourselves. Remember, your well-being is not a task, it is an outcome. One we all need to work to and support. Your emotional wellness is a priority at our School.

Reliving and renewing this oath has reenergized me and this was an experience I wish for all of you. Please join me May 17, 2019 for next year’s graduation.

Larry
Twitter: @larry_jacobs1