Spotting Conflicts of Interest: A Guide for Practitioners
As a practitioner, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest research and its implications. A recent study titled A cross-sectional examination of conflict-of-interest disclosures of physician-authors publishing in high-impact US medical journals sheds light on the accuracy of self-reported financial conflict-of-interest (COI) disclosures. The findings are eye-opening and suggest actionable steps for practitioners to improve their skills and ensure ethical practices.
Key Findings from the Study
The study analyzed original clinical-trial research articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in 2017. It compared self-reported COI disclosure forms with financial data from the Open Payments website. Here are some key findings:
- Out of 118 physician-authors, 89.8% received payments, with 81.1% of these payments being undisclosed.
- The top 23 most highly compensated authors received 84.5% of all payments, with 47.6% of these payments undisclosed.
- There was no significant difference in COI disclosure rates between NEJM and JAMA authors.
Implications for Practitioners
These findings have significant implications for practitioners, especially those involved in clinical research and publication. Here are some ways to implement the outcomes of this research:
1. Enhance COI Transparency
Transparency is key to maintaining trust in medical research. Practitioners should strive to disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount. This practice will not only enhance the credibility of your work but also contribute to the overall integrity of the medical field.
2. Utilize Open Payments Data
The Open Payments website is a valuable resource for verifying financial relationships. Before submitting manuscripts, cross-check your disclosures with the data available on Open Payments to ensure accuracy.
3. Advocate for Policy Changes
Given the high rate of undisclosed payments, it's clear that current COI disclosure policies need improvement. Practitioners can advocate for stricter guidelines and more robust verification processes to ensure complete transparency.
4. Engage in Further Research
This study highlights the need for further research to understand why such high proportions of payments go undisclosed. Practitioners can contribute to this effort by conducting their own investigations and sharing their findings with the community.
Conclusion
The study underscores the importance of transparency in COI disclosures and provides a roadmap for practitioners to improve their practices. By enhancing COI transparency, utilizing Open Payments data, advocating for policy changes, and engaging in further research, practitioners can contribute to a more ethical and trustworthy medical field.
To read the original research paper, please follow this A cross-sectional examination of conflict-of-interest disclosures of physician-authors publishing in high-impact US medical journals.
