GP Sam Hazledine said the change was a positive step for the medical profession and a fundamental shift in thinking.
Currently, doctors swear an oath to protect the health of their patients as their first priority.
Dr Hazledine’s proposed addition is a line to state doctors must also make their own health and well-being a priority. The decision to ratify will be made following a vote by the World Medical Association’s general assembly in Chicago. Speaking from the United States, Dr Hazledine said the line was "more than just words".
Research showed burnout and stress in the profession could lead to patient harm.
"Our first core principle in our profession is ‘Do no harm’, but we are harming them [patients] by the way we are being and the way we are working.
"We are not de-prioritising the patient; rather, we are saying, ‘this is one of the most important things for the patient’."
He would be devastated if it was not passed unanimously.
He had not heard any whispers to suggest otherwise.
"You would have to be a crazy person to not see the importance of doctors not looking after themselves."
The oath, or Declaration of Geneva, was first adopted in 1948 as a global standard of medical ethics and humanitarianism after the atrocities committed during World War 2. It has only been amended three times in its almost 70-year history.
The new clause would be added which states: "I will attend to my own health, well-being and abilities in order to provide care of the highest standard."
Its possible addition follows a petition, signed by more than 4500 Australasian doctors, that Dr Hazledine presented to WMA’s general assembly last year. While he did not want to take the credit, he stressed it was an important step for doctors.‘‘It is far bigger than me. I am just the guy who is pushing it because the time had come for it.
"Our profession needs to evolve and the fact that a Kiwi has helped drive it is really cool. In New Zealand I do think we have better conditions than other places and we do prioritise things.
"That is part of the journey. It is a marathon not a sprint.
"And for New Zealand to help make this change, change the set of values for doctors worldwide for ever, is something that is pretty special."
