Chapter 2 Professional Ethics 21 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. last 100 years. Generally, these ethical codes address rules within various specialties and define standards for conduct within the scope of practice for each specialty. The term profession derives from a Latin term meaning “to swear (an oath).” The mod- ern definition of profession refers to paid work that requires specialized knowledge and skill, and which unqualified people are not allowed to perform. Although the meaning of the term profession has changed over the years, certain professions retain the original meaning in their adherence to codes of ethics. History of Medical Ethics During the classical Greek era (5th century BC), Hippocrates believed that disease could be studied and cured. He advised medical practitioners, however, to “first do no harm” in recognition that preparation and caution were required for this work. This belief became the basis for the Hippocratic Oath, which has provided basic ethical ­ guidance for the medical profession since at least the classical Greek era (Figure 2.2). This idea still holds true today throughout the various medical fields. In fact, many contemporary medical practitioners take an oath based on Hippocrates’ advice. Essentially, if you plan to act in any healthcare situ- ation, you must be sure that you will not engage in actions that make the situation worse than it is already. You must be prepared both technically and emotionally to follow through and finish the work in as positive a manner as possible. You must act in the same way as any person with sufficient skills and learn to handle the situation without imposing addi- tional difficulties on the patient. If you are not confident that you have the skills and knowledge to improve a patient’s position, you do not have an obligation to perform. In fact, you may be held accountable if you act while knowing that you are not competent to do so. In addition, if you try to improve a patient’s con- dition, you have an obligation to continue until such care is adequately provided and no additional harm has been inflicted. You cannot begin to provide care and then stop, leaving the patient in a worse position than before you started. In some situations, if you realize you cannot adequately help the patient yourself, your obligation may be to seek help from others who are more prepared. During the Middle Ages, the Hippocratic Oath was just one of sev- eral different perspectives on medical practice. For instance, both Indian profession a calling that requires specialized training and membership in a group that establishes and enforces codes of conduct or codes of ethics, including requirements for continuing education and payment of periodic membership fees Hippocratic Oath an oath attributed to the ancient Greek known as Hippocrates that requires a new physician to swear upon a number of healing gods that he will uphold professional ethical standards strongly binds the student to his teacher and the greater community of physicians Aila Images/Shutterstock.com Figure 2.1 Physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have codes of ethics that guide their conduct in the workplace.