The Declaration of Geneva

(1948, last revised 2017)

The Declaration of Geneva (the Physician’s Pledge) is the modern version of the Hippocratic Oath. The Declaration of Geneva was adopted by the 2nd General Assembly of the World Medical Association, Geneva, Switzerland, in September 1948. Major revisions were made in 1968, 1983, 1994, 2005, 2006, and 2017. The Physician’s Pledge should be read together with the WMA International Code of Medical Ethics.

The Physician’s Pledge

As a Member of the Medical Profession:

I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE to dedicate my life to the service of humanity;

THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF MY PATIENT will be my first consideration;

I WILL RESPECT the autonomy and dignity of my patient;

I WILL MAINTAIN the utmost respect for human life;

I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;

I WILL RESPECT the secrets that are confided in me, even after the patient has died;

I WILL PRACTISE my profession with conscience and dignity and in accordance with good medical practice;

I WILL FOSTER the honor and noble traditions of the medical profession;

I WILL GIVE to my teachers, colleagues, and students the respect and gratitude that is their due;

I WILL SHARE my medical knowledge for the benefit of the patient and the advancement of healthcare;

I WILL ATTEND TO my own health, well-being, and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard;

I WILL NOT USE my medical knowledge to violate human rights and civil liberties, even under threat;

I MAKE THESE PROMISES solemnly, freely, and upon my honor.

References:

WMA Declaration of Geneva (2017). Available at: https://www.wma.net/policies-post/wma-declaration-of-geneva/

Last updated: September 10, 2022 

Milestones in Medical Ethics