<p>Caught between the conflicting demands of healing arts and AI-dominated medicine, doctors will have to reflect on their fundamental principles of practice in the face of constantly changing requirements. “The doctor is noble and good and exclusively committed to my health” is an image of the profession that accompanies every visit to the doctor and is an unspoken expectation of the patient. But where does this image come from? Does it correspond to reality, or is it wishful thinking on the part of people who want to hand over responsibility for their health to a “noble expert”? This essay explores the various aspects of medical practice and highlights the dangers and influences involved. In particular, it examines the accountability of medical practice. The Hippocratic Oath is compared with the Geneva Declaration, and possible implications for medical practice are explored.</p>