'Swear by Thy Gracious Self': North American Medical Oath-Taking in 2014/2015.

Abstract

Over the past century, six studies - the most recent data from 2000 - and one review have comprehensively examined the content of medical oaths and oath-taking practices, all focusing on North America, providing an insight into the ethical beliefs of each era. Our study sought to establish a new point of reference. In 2014/2015, oaths from 150 of all 153 US and Canadian medical schools were collected and analyzed. All but one school administered medical oaths and most schools administered more than one. Since 2000, student-written oaths became more popular, and new themes, such as self-care and professionalism, were identified in the oaths for the first time. However, as was identified in 2000, the oaths' contents are disparate and even conflicting at times, raising questions as to whether medicine is being taught or practiced with a coherent ethical worldview.