Six Principles of Doctor Ethics of Dr. Botkin

For a modern doctor, Botkin’s conviction that a Russian doctor has a high degree of humane attitude to patients is of particular importance today. What exactly, in what principles of medical ethics is this humane attitude? The answer is in the text of the last letter of Dr. Botkin, in which he described in detail his medical practice in Tobolsk.

The first principle can be attributed to the matter as to service with the full dedication of their forces. "I worked there with all my last strength ...", this formed the trust of people, "which creates the atmosphere that our souls need."

The second principle is to provide assistance, despite adverse conditions, without justifying inaction and referring to certain circumstances. Evgeny Sergeevich took patients in any adverse conditions: "I used to have to examine in a small room in front of the bathroom, and a large chest served as a sofa for me."

The third principle is respect for colleagues. Having gained the trust of patients and the fame of a good doctor, he did not seek to in any way belittle the dignity of local doctors. “I did not want to get in the way of the permanent doctors of Tobolsk, who is very happy with them both in quantitative and, most importantly, in qualitative terms.”

The fourth principle is justice. "I did not refuse to help anyone." "I was pleased with their (patients) confidence, which never deceived them that I would accept them with the same attention and affection as any other patient."

The fifth principle is selflessness and gratuitous service. Patients "were constantly trying to pay ... but, of course, I never took anything from them, following our old code."

But the main principle for Yevgeny Sergeyevich was the principle of fidelity to the medical duty of service or the dominant interests of the patient in the doctor-patient relationship.

“The hospital is for the sick,” Botkin says, “and this motto should underlie our attitude towards them.”

Patients should feel their right “to ask for everything, to treat everything. They must be sure that you will not ignore any of their smallest complaints; they must see that .... while you are near him, you are completely occupied with him alone, no matter how easily he is ill. ”

Source: https://www.pravmir.ru/vrachebnaya-etika-mertvyi-li-dela-bez-veryi1/