Oath in this Office

I recently read that a word is like a living organism.

Words have power, yes, but to consider them ‘alive’ is quite fascinating.

Words are capable of growing, changing, spreading and influencing the world in many ways, directly and indirectly through others.

Consider the words of Hippocrates, a Greek physician who lived more than 2,000 years ago. Hippocrates is credited with being the first person to believe that diseases were caused naturally, not because of superstition and gods. He is also known to have greatly advanced the systematic study of clinical medicine. Hippocrates created a pledge that reads:

Human life is sacred and that a doctor must administer aid when necessary to any person who falls ill or requires medical treatment to save their life, regardless of any underlying religious, political or even war-like status that may affect the patient at the time.

The premise of his complete statement is, essentially, one of the cornerstones of modern civilization that separates man from animal and enhances the human nature of compassion. To this day, the Hippocratic Oath has been adopted by doctors and medics on an almost global basis.

Doctors or practitioners must honor and understand the patient’s differing perspectives. This kind of therapeutic relationship emphasizes the person rather than the disease. It is patient-centered and directed toward self-healing.

It is accomplished through effective use of words.

Unfortunately, orthodox medicine rarely favors this approach, leaving patients frustrated with the outcome of their medical visit. It is a sad consequence of our current day medical and insurance system that inevitably complicates and restricts communication.

With acupuncture, and almost any complementary medicine, treatment seeks to restore individuals to their developmental potential through realigning and restoring imbalances, defects and destructive patterns. There is a particular importance to connecting effectively with people in order to promote health and well being. Words get us there.

Words have power.

Scientists uncover the power of words to effect behavioral change; well evident in the power of rhetoric of the recent election year. In other research, individuals who read words of ‘loving kindness’ showed increases in self-compassion, improved mood, and reduced anxiety.

Kindness is always an option.

At One Earth Acupuncture, listening seriously to your account of your illness, your suffering, its impact on your life and on those close to you is an important part of the therapeutic experience.  It demonstrates my commitment to follow the Oath and Code of Ethics as a Licensed Acupuncturist.

The power to create change rests with each of us and with our ability to speak-up and communicate.

OATH

• I shall look upon those who are in grief, as if I myself have been struck and I shall sympathize with them deep in my heart.
• I will not give way to wishes and desires but develop first a marked attitude of compassion.
• I shall not ponder over my own fortune or misfortune and thus preserve life and have compassion for it.
• Whoever suffers from disease and illness will be looked upon with contempt by people. I shall maintain an attitude of compassion, of sympathy and of care. In no way shall arise an attitude of rejection.
• I shall treat all patients alike, whether powerful or humble, rich or poor, old or young, beautiful or ugly, resentful relatives or kind friend, foreigners, fools or wise men.
• I shall not emphasize my own reputation and belittle the rest of physicians while praising my own virtue.
• Neither dangerous mountain passes, nor time of day, neither weather conditions nor hunger, thirst nor fatigue shall keep me from helping wholeheartedly.

ETHICS

• Respect the rights, privacy and dignity of my patients and maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries at all times.
• Treat within my lawful scope of my practice and training and only if I am able to safely, competently and effectively do so.
• Allow my patients to fully participate in decisions related to their healthcare by documenting and keeping them informed of my treatments and outcomes.
• Accept and treat those seeking my services in a fair and nondiscriminatory manner. Render the highest quality of care and make timely referrals to other health care professionals as may be appropriate.
• Continue to advance my knowledge through education, training and collaboration with my colleagues to maintain excellence and high ethical standards in our profession.
• Support my medicine’s access to all people and its growth in the broad spectrum of U.S. health care.
• Assist in the professional development and advancement of my colleagues. Participate in activities that contribute to the betterment of my community.