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Hippocrasy: How Doctors Are Betraying Their Oath

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Hippocrasy: How doctors are betraying their oath

by Rachelle Buchbinder

4 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Hippocratic Oath is one of the most sacred oaths in medicine. It is a pledge to uphold the ethical standards of the profession, to put the needs of patients first, and to do no harm. However, as journalist and author David Healy argues in his new book, Hippocrasy, many doctors are betraying their oath. He exposes the ways in which the modern medical establishment has become corrupted by greed, profit, and power, leading to a decline in the quality of care.

Healy begins by recounting the history of the Hippocratic Oath, which dates back to ancient Greece. The oath was originally written by Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, as a way to ensure that doctors would uphold the highest ethical standards. The oath has been updated over the centuries, but its core principles have remained the same.

Healy argues that the modern medical establishment has abandoned the principles of the Hippocratic Oath. He cites a number of examples of how doctors are putting profits before patients, including:

The overuse of unnecessary medical procedures, such as surgery, drugs, and tests.
The marketing of drugs and devices that are not proven to be safe or effective.
The failure to provide patients with informed consent about the risks and benefits of medical treatments.
The suppression of research that could harm the profits of the medical industry.

Healy also argues that the medical establishment has become increasingly authoritarian, with doctors often refusing to listen to patients or to consider alternative viewpoints. He cites the example of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which many doctors and scientists who questioned the official narrative were censored or silenced.

Hippocrasy is a powerful indictment of the modern medical establishment. Healy provides a wealth of evidence to support his claims, and he does not shy away from naming names. The book is a must-read for anyone who is concerned about the future of healthcare. It is a wake-up call for doctors, patients, and policymakers alike.

In his book, Healy offers a number of suggestions for how to reform the medical establishment and restore the principles of the Hippocratic Oath. These suggestions include:

Increasing the transparency of medical research and clinical trials.
Banning the marketing of drugs and devices that are not proven to be safe or effective.
Requiring doctors to obtain informed consent from patients before performing any medical procedures.
Encouraging doctors to listen to patients and to consider alternative viewpoints.
Holding doctors accountable for their actions, including those that harm patients.

Healy's suggestions are ambitious, but they are necessary if we want to restore trust in the medical establishment and ensure that patients are receiving the best possible care. Hippocrasy is a call to action for everyone who is concerned about the future of healthcare.

Hippocrasy: How doctors are betraying their oath

by Rachelle Buchbinder

4 out of 5