Healthy Skepticism Library item: 17218

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

Zuckerman JD
Accuracy of Financial Disclosures Reported by Physicians
NEJM 2010 Feb 4; 362:(5):470
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/362/5/470?query=TOC#R1

Abstract:

Okike et al. (Oct. 8 issue)1 found that the rate of conflict-of-interest disclosure reported by physicians who participated in the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) was 79% for directly related payments and 50% for indirectly related payments. I am writing to provide an update on the critical steps the AAOS has taken since the time this study was performed.

The AAOS has worked diligently for years and will continue to perfect, modify, and simplify the disclosure process that physicians use to identify their consulting and other arrangements with companies. Specifically, since 2008, we have made our mandatory disclosure process electronic; required disclosure of all potential conflicts and relationships, regardless of their relevance to the presentation; provided numerous educational programs and materials for our members that emphasize the importance of full disclosure and teach them how to fulfill this requirement; and formed a board project team to review our policies and recommend enhancements.

We believe that mandatory, complete disclosure and the appropriate management of conflicts of interest are essential. Our ongoing efforts to streamline the process and educate our members enable the physicians to focus on their real work – improving the quality of life for our patients with musculoskeletal conditions.