Healthy Skepticism Library item: 1258

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Wirth M, Scherer D.
Patient's perceptions of doctors' relationships with pharmaceutical companies
Healthy Skepticism International News 2002 Nov; 20:(11):
www.healthyskepticism.org

Abstract:

Objective: Our aim was to pilot a study looking at patient’s perspectives of doctor’s relationships with pharmaceutical companies within a general practice setting. We also wished to make a direct comparison between patient’s and their doctor’s responses and evaluate whether patient’s wish to be better informed about the nature of this relationship. Methods: A short eight-question survey of patients in the waiting rooms of two general practice clinics and a separate survey for their doctors. Obtained a sample of 147 patients and 5 doctors. Measurements: Patient’s and doctor’s perspectives on the frequency, appropriateness and possible influence of drug company gifts to doctors. Results: The patient survey had a response rate of 85% and showed that 18% of patients were unhappy about doctors accepting gifts from drug companies and 30% agreed that drug companies should be banned from giving gifts to doctors. However 60% of respondents agreed that patients should be better informed about the nature of gifts given to doctors by drug companies. Of the 18% of respondents who were not happy about doctors receiving gifts from drug companies 87% agreed that patients should be better informed and of the 30% of respondents agreed that drug companies should be banned from giving gifts to doctors 81% agreed that patients should be better informed. Conclusion: While patients are aware doctors receive gifts from pharmaceutical companies 60% agree that patients should be better informed about the nature of gifts given to doctors by drug companies. The need for research in this area seems to be validated by the difficulty in finding doctors willing to allow their patients to be surveyed. With the change in the doctor-patient relationship in recent times to that of more of a partnership we feel doctors may need to take into account the will of their patients more often and be prepared to inform their patients about their interactions with pharmaceutical companies.

Keywords:
cross-sectional study Australia