Osteopathic Oath

Only 50% of US medical dotors take Hippocratic Oath upon their graduation from medical schools, all doctors of osteopathic medicine take Osteopathic Oath. Even though the oath does not carry any legal obligations, it inculcates the common ethical, professional, and moral values that physicians should have.

The need for a modern version of the Hippocratic Oath specifically designed for  the DO graduates was first suggested by Frank E. MacCracken, D.O., of California to his state society. Within a year, the suggestion was transmitted from the state to the national association, and a committee was formed under the Associated Colleges of Osteopathy to prepare the text. Members of that committee included Dr. MacCracken as chairman and Drs. R.C. McCaughan, Walter V. Goodfellow and Edward T. Abbott. The first version of the Osteopathic Oath was used from 1938 until 1954, at which time minor amendments were proposed by the AOA Bureau of Professional Education and adopted by the AOA House of Delegates. (see JAOA 54:77, Sep 54.) This version has been in use since 1954. (From the American Osteopathic Association's website)

I do hereby affirm my loyalty to the profession I am about to enter.

I will be mindful always of my great responsibility to preserve the health and the life of my patients, to retain their confidence and respect both as a physician and a friend who will guard their secrets with scrupulous honor and fidelity, to perform faithfully my professional duties, to employ only those recognized methods of treatment consistent with good judgment and with my skill and ability, keeping in mind always nature's laws and the body's inherent capacity for recovery.

I will be ever vigilant in aiding in the general welfare of the community, sustaining its laws and institutions, not engaging in those practices which will in any way bring
shame or discredit upon myself or my profession.

I will give no deadly drugs to any, though it may be asked of me.

I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.

I will look with respect and esteem upon all those who have taught me my art. To my college I will be loyal and strive always for its best interests and for the interests of the students who will come after me.

I will ever be alert to adhere to and develop the principles of osteopathy which were first
enunciated by Andrew Taylor Still.