About Physician Responsibilities

Physicians are responsible for more than providing their patients with just a diagnosis and its subsequent treatment. Physicians and other healthcare professionals must take the Hippocratic Oath, in which they pledge to practice medicine ethically, preserve life and always act in the best interest of their patients. These responsibilities should be a physician’s number one priority; violating or neglecting their duties can result in the loss of their license to practice medicine.

Hippocratic Oath

The Hippocratic Oath is a Greek medical text credited to Hippocrates, considered the father of western medicine. Medical schools require that today’s new physicians swear to the historic oath before they can start practicing medicine.

In this oath, physicians acknowledge that the art of medicine is the most noble, and they promise to practice the art with the utmost honor and respect for their patients. They promise to do everything in their power to sustain a patient’s life, regardless of the circumstances. The oath also calls for physicians to continue studying diligently about medicine throughout their careers so that they can remain knowledgeable about relevant medical practices, treatments and policies.

Doctor-Patient Confidentiality

Patients should not feel embarrassed, hesitant or wary to seek a physician’s medical advice for fear that their medical concerns or conditions will be shared with others. Doctors are responsible by law to protect their patients’ confidential information. The law of doctor-patient confidentiality, which varies by state, protects individuals that voluntarily seek the opinion of a doctor and expect their communication to be held in confidence. The court upholds this law, even when the physician is no longer in charge of the patient's care.

Patient Equality

Doctors are responsible for treating all of their patients equally. Doctors should make their decisions about a patient’s care based on symptoms, test results and the patient’s medical history. They cannot let emotion or prejudice cloud their judgment concerning a patient’s diagnosis or treatment. Failure to treat patients with equality and respect can result in detriment to the physician’s reputation, and most importantly, the patient’s well-being.