The Day Its Official

Today is the angkat sumpah ceremony.
In 7 or so hours, I'll stand up in my white shirt, black skirt and shiny white coat,
and say:

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

Above all, do no harm.

The whole thing may seems pretty pointless I suppose. Why bother dressing up and standing in lines to recite stuff inspired by some kooky guy in a toga centuries ago?
I like the idea though, its very quaint.
Like an induction ceremony to join some sort of cool secret society.
I think it serves as a good wake up call and farewell ceremony to the theory years too.

After all, after this its all work and no fun.

Crap, I'm scared.

The Day is 13th April 2009.

6 days from today.

*Lifts imaginary champagne glass in the air*
Here's to hoping I will never forget its worth it.