OBJETIVO: Determinar se os Juramentos Médicos de diferentes épocas expressam o compromisso do médico de solicitar uma remuneração justa pelo atendimento e serviços prestados na recuperação da saúde de pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados 50 Juramentos Médicos editados em artigos e publicações, segundo duas épocas diferentes, 12 juramentos da época antiga e medieval e 38 juramentos da época moderna e contemporânea. RESULTADOS: Somente três textos de juramento, entre os 50 selecionados, contêm expressamente explícito o compromisso de remuneração justa dos honorários médicos. Dois deles são da época medieval e pertencem à Escola de Medicina de Montpellier, e apenas um da época moderna (Juramento de Amato Lusitano). Quatro fórmulas indicam votos com a atenção dos pobres e 11 assinalam indiretamente não obter ganhos de outras atividades ou relações. CONCLUSÕES: Os Juramentos mais antigos são os que enfatizam a justa remuneração dos serviços médicos, a atenção médica sem discriminar o atendimento em função da possibilidade de pagamento do paciente e a obtenção de ganhos por meios honestos. Os textos de juramentos atuais não expressam estes aspectos, sendo poucos os que se referem somente a não exercer a profissão para proveito material. Apesar destas evidências, os médicos devem respeitar os limites de suas obrigações e estarem comprometidos no sentido de atender pacientes sem discriminar, especialmente sem levar em conta as possibilidades financeiras dos pacientes e, ao mesmo tempo, não exigir honorários que não estejam de acordo com os serviços prestados.

BACKGROUND: to determine if Medical Oaths from different times include the statement of the physician to request from patients a fair retribution for his/her medical services. METHODS: Fifty Medical Oaths found in articles and publications were analyzed. In accordance with their corresponding dates, the Oaths were grouped as ancient /medieval (12), and modern/contemporary (38). RESULTS: Of the fifty, only three specifically included the statement of fair retribution. Two of the three were medieval and belonged to the School of Medicine of Montpellier. The other text was modern (Amato Lusitano's Oath). Four writings showed statements regarding medical assistance to the poor. Eleven pledges indirectly stated that no earnings from other activities and/or relations were obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Ancient oaths emphasize fair retribution, no discrimination in medical assistance based on payment possibilities, and gain of honest earnings. Modern oaths generally do not include these topics and very few mention that the medical profession should not be exercised merely for material purposes. Despite the above, physicians should respect the limits of their obligations and should be committed to assist without discriminating, particularly without taking into consideration their patient's financial possibilities. Therefore their fees should not be excessive for the services rendered.

Background: All humans have the right to receive a thorough medical attention, and should not be discriminated. Aims: To determine if there is a significant relationship between Medical Oaths that commit to the principle of no discrimination in health care and the time, origin and source of the modifications to the Hippocratic Oath. To specify which are the conditions for no discrimination. Materials and Methods: Fifty Oaths found in different articles and publications were analyzed and selected considering their historical context. Results: Of the fifty Oaths that were analyzed, nineteen express a commitment towards no discrimination, whereas one of the texts is discriminatory. The only significant relationship found was the origin and source of the texts. The most frequently discriminating factors found are social class, religion, nationality and race. At present, other factors can be found such as ideology, moral, aptitude, sex and political and sexual preferences. Conclusions: The commitment towards no discrimination is not widely found in Medical Oaths of all times (30/50). According to the bioethics principle of justice, physicians should find the limit of their obligation as doctors in providing medical assistance to everyone alike, wealthy or poor; Christians, Hebrews or Muslims; men or women; children, adults or old; with or without infectious diseases. Non discrimination should be a vow that physicians must be willing to take despite any of the factors that could influence health care (Rev Méd Chile 2003; 131: 799-807)