The hippocratic oath was very very outdated. Many therapies
require harm before benefit.
A good example would be radio- or chemotherapy. The side effects
are plenty, and even before the patient can acquire benefits, they
have to suffer the side effects such nausea and vomitting,
etc.
Almost no drugs in today's modern medicine has no adverse side
effects. In fact, the whole focus is on making the patient's life
better.
Hmm... so maybe we need to rethink the goal of a doctor. Is it to
cure? When cure is impossible, should doctors try their best at
reducing sufferings?
