MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
selves facing ethical dilemmas
or potential conflicts of interest.
Indeed, a growing body of empirical evidence demonstrates that
accepting gifts or inducements
from industry influences and likely
undermines a physician’s independent clinical judgment, even where
the physician believes otherwise. It
reminds me of a quote by Richard
Feynman “The first principle is that
you must not fool yourself – and
you are the easiest person to fool.”
More recently, research has found
that such conflicts, even perceived
conflicts, may undermine your patient’s trust in you. A recent study
found that those patients who believed that physicians accepted industry gifts were significantly more
likely to report less trust in their
physicians and more distrust in the
health-care system, in general.
I personally believe that the healing
arts can not be part of “industry.”
In fact, we ought to stand out as
uninfluenced by the interactions
that may grease transactions in the
marketplace.
Patients depend on us to make
clinical decisions that are squarely
in their best interests. It is understandable that trust would be
jeopardized should they believe
that other factors – separate from
their well-being – could come into
play as we determine which drug or
8
DIALOGUE • Issue 1, 2014
treatment they should be receiving.
This draft policy covers much
more than industry gifts, however. We set out expectations in a
variety of areas, including: CME/
CPD activities, participation in
consultation and advisory boards,
Patients depend on us to
make clinical decisions
that are squarely in their
best interests.
the organization of investigator
meetings, involvement in industrysponsored research, and publication
of research findings.
We are not alone in our concerns.
There is growing awareness that
under the present social mileau,
policy and guides need to be in
place to regulate our interactions
with the world of commerce. There
are guides in place by organizations
such as CMA, AMA and myriad
others. As a self-governing profession, we need to state our approach
to this issue.
We are eager to hear what you
think. My time at the College has
demonstrated to me that your
feedback always creates a better
informed policy. That is why consultation and engagement with the
membership is such a crucial part
of getting it right. I would encourage you to add your voice to the
conversation at www.cpso.on.ca,
checking under the heading “Consultations.” Think about it from the
point of view of the various hats we
all wear. How does it work from
your point of view as a physician,
as a patient, as someone interacting with the corporate world? Is it
reasonable?
An article about the draft policy is
on page 9.
Throughout this year, I will be
using this forum to update you on
the work and decisions made by
Council in order to maintain an
accountable self-governing body.
The new era of social media and the
Internet will hopefully encourage
communication and commentary.
One-way communication would be
utterly unproductive. I want to hear
your considered opinions. Please
comment on policy and know you
can contact me here at the College
with questions, concerns or comments that you may have.
I look forward to a productive,
ongoing conversation and will do
my best to stay on top of (with a
pre-apology caveat if I fall behind)
all exchanges.