Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Practice

Author(s):  
Azgad Gold

Physicians confront situations in which there is a risk that their professional judgment or actions concerning the treatment of their patients will be unduly influenced by self-serving financial interests. These situations predominantly derive from physicians’ relationships with industry and their payment method. The chapter begins with the definition of conflicts of interest in clinical practice accompanied by an explanation of the difference between conflicts of interest and other moral dilemmas that physicians encounter in their clinical practice. The different approaches toward the conflicts of interest problem are presented, including the underlying philosophical–ideological aspects that relate to opposing views concerning medical professionalism. A discussion pertaining to the merits and disadvantages of the four main types of solutions to the conflicts of interest problem follows. Finally, I outline suggestions for several future directions that could deepen our understanding concerning the conflicts of interest problem and in turn lead to new practical solutions.

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3549-3549
Author(s):  
Andres Jerez ◽  
Yuka Sugimoto ◽  
Hideki Makishima ◽  
Amit Verma ◽  
Christine L O‘Keefe ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3549 Acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome cases with monosomy 7 or del(7q) comprise a heterogeneous group. Complex karyotypes with multiple aberrations such as del(5q) are more frequent, and there is evidence that the overall survival is significantly lower in this group, compared with patients who have monosomy 7 or del(7q) as a sole abnormality. In this study, our purpose was to gain insights into these heterogeneous subsets among myeloid disorders with lesions of chromosome 7, taking advantage of the better definition of chromosomal aberrations which provides SNP-A karyotyping. We studied a large cohort of patients (N=1,153) with myeloid disorders using SNP-A karyotyping. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in 7q was identified in 9.7% (112/1153) of patients. It included monosomy 7 (n=38, 3.3%), del(7q) (n=55, 4.8%) and UPD7 (n=19, 1.6%). The LOH 7 cohort included men (70%) and women (30%) with a mean age of 57 years (S.D. 22.2 years). The presence of chromosome 7 material in 35% of our cases with apparent monosomy 7 by conventional MC serves as an illustration for SNP array-based mapping allowing for a more precise definition of the breakpoints. Clinical and chromosomal lesions association made possible to distinguish between three subsets: UPD 7: with 60% of the patients included in a myeloproliferative or myeloproliferative/myelodysplastic disease and 50% of presence of EZH2 mutations; del(7q): with 85% of patients included in the high risk group (RAEB and AML) and frequently associated with complex karyotypes (including 5q and 17p LOH); and monosomy 7: frequently (59%) as a sole abnormality and, in the case of MDS patients, associated with hypoplastic features. The existence of those three subsets is supported by the difference survival among the MDS cohort: median overall survival of 1250, 512 and 209 days for UPD 7, monosomy 7 and del(7q) patients, respectively (p=0.03). Three SNP-A defined commonly deleted regions were described in bands 7q22 (100634238–101658775), 7q34 (137841484–139319208), and between bands 7q35 and 7q35q36.1 (144338001–148545983) but among the candidate tumor suppressor genes (TSG), only EZH2 showed to be recurrently mutated in UPD7. The lack of a TSG mutation in monosomy and del(7q) cases led us to determine that the expression of majority of genes included in the CDRs was significantly reduced in MDS CD34+ cells from 9 cases with monosomy or partial deletion of chromosome 7 (Multiple testing by Benjamin Hochberg correction, FDR<10%). These genes included LUC7L2, ZNHIT1, TTC26, RABL5, TRIM24, EZH2, ZC3HAV1L, CNTNAP2, TRIM24, CUX1, FIS1, RABL5, ZC3HAV1 and TBXAS. The mean decrease in gene expression was 42–33 % supporting haploinsufficiency as a probable cause of disease. In summary, the present study shows how SNP-A karyotyping enables us to refine our knowledge about lesions of chromosome 7. The secondary nature of del(7q), accompanied almost invariably by “founder” 5q aberrations, the proliferative phenotype and presence of EZH2 mutations of UPD7q, and the description of monosomy 7 as isolated lesion and associated with hypoplastic disease phenotype, are the main correlations found herein, which prompt to investigate for different underlying pathogenic origin for each subset. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 19-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulina Dubiel-Zielińska

Abstract The aim of the article is to show the possibility of applying assumptions from ethics of social consequences when making decisions about actions, as well as in situations of moral dilemmas, by persons performing occupations of public trust on a daily basis. Reasoning in the article is analytical and synthetic. Article begins with an explanation of the basic concepts of “profession” and “the profession of public trust” and a manifestation of the difference between these terms. This is followed by a general description of professions of public trust. The area and definition of moral dilemmas is emphasized. Furthermore, representatives of professions belonging to them are listed. After a brief characterization of axiological foundations and the main assumptions of ethics of social consequences, actions according to Vasil Gluchman and Włodzimierz Galewicz are discussed and actions in line with ethics of social consequences are transferred to the practical domain. The article points out that actions in professional life are obligatory, impermissible, permissible, supererogatory and unmarked in the moral dimension. In the final part of the article an afterthought is included on how to solve moral dilemmas when in the position of a representative of the profession of public trust. The article concludes with a summary report containing the conclusions that stem from ethics of social consequences for professions of public trust, followed by short examples.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. SCI-13-SCI-13
Author(s):  
Sandeep S. Dave

High throughput sequencing is a revolutionary technology for the definition of the genomic features of tumors. This talk will provide a review of the relevant methodologies for non-experts in the field. The presentation will include a discussion of how high throughput sequencing is performed, its relative strengths and weaknesses, and how it is applicable to formalin-fixed and fresh/frozen tissue samples. The talk will also describe future directions in the genomic analysis of tumors. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 319-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miriam Wiersma ◽  
Ian Kerridge ◽  
Wendy Lipworth

Non-financial interests, and the conflicts of interest that may result from them, are frequently overlooked in biomedicine. This is partly due to the complex and varied nature of these interests, and the limited evidence available regarding their prevalence and impact on biomedical research and clinical practice. We suggest that there are no meaningful conceptual distinctions, and few practical differences, between financial and non-financial conflicts of interest, and accordingly, that both require careful consideration. Further, a better understanding of the complexities of non-financial conflicts of interest, and their entanglement with financial conflicts of interest, may assist in the development of a more sophisticated approach to all forms of conflicts of interest.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1431-1434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stina Saunders ◽  
Karen Ritchie ◽  
Tom C. Russ ◽  
Graciela Muniz-Terrera ◽  
Craig W. Ritchie

The term mild cognitive impairment has been associated with a varying degree of clinical utility and controversy. The concept has been introduced to try and define a pre-dementia period associated with underlying neurodegenerative pathology and a higher likelihood of the person developing a dementia syndrome. As scientific understanding improves then the definition of MCI rightly adapts, meaning that the MCI concept is prone quite rightly to frequent evolution. We consider that we are a long way away from the concept having evolved to a point where it can be embedded with confidence in clinical practice as a diagnosis but should remain as a term primarily for use in research.


2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 877-894
Author(s):  
Nur Azyani Amri ◽  
Tian Kar Quar ◽  
Foong Yen Chong

Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight ( N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23–48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.


2008 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Zajac

Abstract The purpose of this opinion article is to review the impact of the principles and technology of speech science on clinical practice in the area of craniofacial disorders. Current practice relative to (a) speech aerodynamic assessment, (b) computer-assisted single-word speech intelligibility testing, and (c) behavioral management of hypernasal resonance are reviewed. Future directions and/or refinement of each area are also identified. It is suggested that both challenging and rewarding times are in store for clinical researchers in craniofacial disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-361
Author(s):  
Gonzalo Grau-Pérez ◽  
J. Guillermo Milán

In Uruguay, Lacanian ideas arrived in the 1960s, into a context of Kleinian hegemony. Adopting a discursive approach, this study researched the initial reception of these ideas and its effects on clinical practices. We gathered a corpus of discursive data from clinical cases and theoretical-doctrinal articles (from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s). In order to examine the effects of Lacanian ideas, we analysed the difference in the way of interpreting the clinical material before and after Lacan's reception. The results of this research illuminate some epistemological problems of psychoanalysis, especially the relationship between theory and clinical practice.


Author(s):  
Galen Strawson

This chapter examines the difference between John Locke's definition of a person [P], considered as a kind of thing, and his definition of a subject of experience of a certain sophisticated sort [S]. It first discusses the equation [P] = [S], where [S] is assumed to be a continuing thing that is able to survive radical change of substantial realization, as well as Locke's position about consciousness in relation to [P]'s identity or existence over time as [S]. It argues that Locke is not guilty of circularity because he is not proposing consciousness as the determinant of [S]'s identity over time, but only of [S]'s moral and legal responsibility over time. Finally, it suggests that the terms “Person” and “Personal identity” pull apart, in Locke's scheme of things, but in a perfectly coherent way.


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