An analysis of the Hippocratic Oath and its application in the modern day will turn up the same results as any other ethical standard. Selectively applied on criteria that would rarely be tolerated if openly stated, requiring unstated assumptions to avoid internal contradiction, and powerless to change human behavior as those who commit to upholding it will do so only for interpretations in their own image. While I do admit my view of ethics as a whole is quite cynical, I think one only needs to consider how many ethically bound actors have caused significant harm with unquestionably wrong actions to see that such cynicism has solid foundations.
In short, we should treat doctors no different than any other human in regards to how they operate and how to protect society from bad actors. One practical example is that doctors should follow the same rules and others with regards to child safety such as ensure a child is always accompanied by two unrelated adults and that patients and their parents should be willing to seek second opinions on anything a doctor does that they do not feel comfortable with.
As for the issue at hand, we should not assume doctors will behave more benevolently than any other industry with regards to self regulation and rent seeking(-esque) behavior.
Also to clarify, there are many selfish doctors who do their best to help others. I'm not questioning our doubting that. I'm speaking of groups in general and not of every single member.
SkyBelow|6 years ago
In short, we should treat doctors no different than any other human in regards to how they operate and how to protect society from bad actors. One practical example is that doctors should follow the same rules and others with regards to child safety such as ensure a child is always accompanied by two unrelated adults and that patients and their parents should be willing to seek second opinions on anything a doctor does that they do not feel comfortable with.
As for the issue at hand, we should not assume doctors will behave more benevolently than any other industry with regards to self regulation and rent seeking(-esque) behavior.
Also to clarify, there are many selfish doctors who do their best to help others. I'm not questioning our doubting that. I'm speaking of groups in general and not of every single member.