primum non nocere

Definitions

(Expression) There is only one problem with your definition: Hippocrates never said it and the maxim is not in the oath. In fact, it is not clear who coined this term first but it has certainly been widely (and incorrectly) attributed to Hippocrates along with an (incorrect) assumption that this phrase is in the oath. You should make this point in your definition. The idea of doing more good than harm is one of the fundamental precepts of medical ethics. Hippocrates spoke of this dilemma but proposed no simple solution for the physician. Some would argue that if we (physicians) had applied this concept strictly, we would have never given treatments that can occasionally have lethal consequences....such as giving our well patients polio vaccine during the pandemic of the 1950s.

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(Expression) First, do not harm