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Abstract

In 1948, the Declaration of Geneva was passed as one of the first official acts of the World Medical Association. The Declaration updated the ancient Hippocratic oath and defined ethical principles applicable to the medical profession worldwide. Other health professions have similar pledges and oaths that guide their practice, generally based on the four bioethical principles of justice, autonomy, non-maleficence, and beneficence. Over time, these pledges have been updated to account for evolving societal norms, expectations, and challenges, and many students and health education institutions use adaptations of the original oath. The public commitment to take responsibility for other people's lives and health at the transition from student to professional is an act of great personal and professional significance