Physicians and medical students must demonstrate sensitivity, respect, compassion, emotional support, and empathy at all times, to patients and their families. A doctor-patient relationship defines the uniqueness of the medical profession. It can be the most rewarding element of medical practice. But today in this age of technology and cost management, the traditional doctor-patient relationship is eroding. There is a lack of trust between patients’ families and doctors. A number of forces have combined to devalue and diminish this doctor-patient relationship. The attainment of the best professional principles, attitudes, expertise, and conduct, during the transformation of a medical student to a practitioner, begins on the first day of medical college and continues throughout. The need of the hour is to retain the best elements of a doctorpatient relationship, and teach it to medical students. This training must be started as soon as a student enters medical college. Hence a subject called as ‘Bioethics’ has now been introduced into the curriculum. Bioethics education is the best way to achieve the goal of professionalism and it must start in the dissection hall for medical students by taking a ‘Cadaveric Oath’. At the outset of the medical curriculum, it is the cadaver which imparts professional principles, knowledge, conduct and altruistic behaviour to a medical student. Hence cadavers are to be held in high esteem and are to be regarded as not only the ‘first patient’ but also the ‘first teacher’ of a medical student. To appreciate the altruistic behaviour of a cadaveric donor, which is a fundamental component of professionalism, taking a ‘Cadaveric Oath’ becomes an essential part of Bioethics. A ‘Cadaveric Oath’ is a pledge which the students recite on the opening day of Anatomy learning, to respect the dignity and integrity of the human remains that they are about to work on. A cadaveric oath is a unique and essential aspect of the medical curriculum. This paper discusses the current challenges faced by medical professionals and emphasises the relevance of a ‘Cadaveric Oath’ as a part of Bioethics in today’s age of advanced medical technology. The paper also elaborates the contents of a ‘Cadaveric Oath’ and the right method of administering it.

Keywords: Physicians; Medical Students; Patients; Doctor-Patient Relationship; Bioethics; Cadaveric Oath; First Patient; First Teacher.