Member Care and the Hippocratic Oath, Part 1

Hippocrates and Higher Powers

Non hay lanza que pase 
todas las armaduras,

nin que tanto traspase

como las escrituras.
Sem Tob, 14th century, Spain

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Translation:

No spear can pierce all armour in a fight

Nothing penetrates like words that we write.

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This is the first of 10 brief discussions about the Hippocratic Oath and its relevance for member care. As the above 14th century proverb suggests, the written word--in this case the Hippocratic Oath--has adeptly penetrated practitioner hearts, human history, and the health sciences themselves.
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I really enjoyed studying Greek mythology and life in ancient Greece as a boy. It was thrilling to read over and over again about the heroic feats of Achilles at Troy; the decade-long wanderings of courageous Odysseus; the harrowing foot race along the sea between peerless Atlanta and love-struck Hippomenes; the atoning descent into treacherous Hades by Heracles; satyrs, naiads, centaurs, tritons, and many other mostly delightful mythical creatures. So intentionally meandering now into the ancient Greek world has both a familiar and fascinating feel to it!

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Hippocrates lived in the fourth century BC (circa 460-370 BC). He is considered to be the "father" of western medicine and is credited with helping to further develop and establish the practice of medicine in Greece at a time when Greek civilization was flourishing under Pericles.
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The Hippocratic Oath (reproduced below, translation by the National Institute of Health in the USA) is attributed to Hippocrates and pertains to the ethical practice of medicine. What were the core principles to embrace which would guide specific medical interventions? The Oath summarizes these key principles. Physicians in his day and beyond swore this oath or some variation of it. The principles of "doing good and doing no harm" for example, are still widely accepted and a usefulwayto summarize the Oath itself.

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The Oath is relevant in so many ways for member care practitioners and the member care field. The first application we propose is to look at the opening salvo and consider our work, as Hippocrates et al did, in light of Higher Powers and accountabilty.

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A Foundational Application

By Jove, by the gods above, by Apollo, or by Whoever or Whatever, we humans are not alone in our health care activities. Hippocrates appealed to a Higher Power (gods) to whom all humans and physicians were ultimately accountable and in some sense dependent upon. The specific gods listed by Hippocrates were apparently linked to healing in Greek religion/mythology (Apollo, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea).

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Member care practice likewise starts with a Higher Power--God--who sees all, knows all, is the source of healing, and who holds us accountable for our personal and professsional actions. It is not ultimately good practice codes or professional standards to which we are accountable, but a Creator. We also note for reference that "Master Care"--care for and care by God the Master--is placed at the center (beginning) of the international/macro member care model (Doing Member Care Well, 2002, chapter one).

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Further, we as member care practitioners facilitate healing because being made in the image of God, we emulate the Creator who heals. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, this is YHWH-Rapha, a special name for God which means the Lord that Heals. So perhaps we might see Hippocrates et al as getting their theology wrong, but they were certainly on the right track as they began with and appealed to Higher Powers as being the "first principle" to consider for their healing arts.

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In short: Member care starts with God. Member caregivers are accountable to God. Simple.

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Hippocratic Oath (other translations/versions are slightly longer but essentially the same)

I swear by Apollo, the healer, Asclepius, Hygieia, and Panacea, and I take to witness all the gods, all the goddesses, to keep according to my ability and my judgment, the following Oath and agreement:

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To consider dear to me, as my parents, him who taught me this art; to live in common with him and, if necessary, to share my goods with him; To look upon his children as my own brothers, to teach them this art.
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I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
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I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked, nor will I advise such a plan; and similarly I will not give a woman a pessary to cause an abortion.

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But I will preserve the purity of my life and my arts.
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I will not cut for stone, even for patients in whom the disease is manifest; I will leave this operation to be performed by practitioners, specialists in this art.
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In every house where I come I will enter only for the good of my patients, keeping myself far from all intentional ill-doing and all seduction and especially from the pleasures of love with women or with men, be they free or slaves.

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All that may come to my knowledge in the exercise of my profession or in daily commerce with men, which ought not to be spread abroad, I will keep secret and will never reveal.
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If I keep this oath faithfully, may I enjoy my life and practice my art, respected by all men and in all times; but if I swerve from it or violate it, may the reverse be my lot.

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Reflection and Discussion

Member care should not be ahistorical.

Comment on this assertion

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Member care also has some roots outside of the Judeo-Christian tradition and which pre-date the New Testament.

Comment on this assertion.

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Member care, like any of the helping professions/healing arts, must philosophically and ethically start with a First Principle, a Higher Power.

Comment on this assertion.

Note: During these 10 discussions of the Hippocratic Oath we will introduce two additional items into the integrative mix: a special proverb and a special work of art. Our goal is to broaden our understanding of member care in some new and creative ways.These two items are:
a. a related proverb in Spanish from Sem Tob, a relatively unknown 12th century Rabbi in the court of Peter I in Castilla, Spain. The English translations are courtesy Kelly O'Donnell.
b. a related piece of art from Diego Rivera, the widely-known 20th century Mexican artist who created large murals depicting various social themes as well as paintings depicting indigenous life in Mexico.