Dataset Information

Conflict of interest among Italian medical oncologists: a national survey.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To assess Italian medical oncologists' opinion on the implications of conflict of interest (COI) on medical education, care and research, and to evaluate their direct financial relationships.

Design

National cross-sectional survey conducted between March and April 2017 among Italian oncologists.

Setting

Online survey sponsored by the Italian College of Medical Oncology Chiefs through its website.

Participants

Italian oncologists who filled out an anonymous questionnaire including 19 items and individual and working characteristics.

Main outcome measure

The proportion of medical oncologists perceiving COI as an outstanding issue and those receiving direct payments from industry.

Results

There were 321 respondents, representing 13% of Italian tenured medical oncologists. Overall, 62% declared direct payments from the pharmaceutical industry in the last 3 years. Sixty-eight per cent felt the majority of Italian oncologists have a COI with industry, but 59% suppose this is not greater than that of other specialties. Eighty-two per cent consider that most oncology education is supported by industry. More than 75% believe that current allocation of industry budget on marketing and promotion rather than research and development is unfair, but 75% consider it appropriate to receive travel and lodging hospitality from industry. A median net profit margin of €5000 per patient enrolled in an industry trial was considered appropriate for the employee institution. Sixty per cent agree to receive a personal fee for patients enrolled in industry trials, but 79% state this should be reported in the informed consent. Over 90% believe that scientific societies should publish a financial report of industry support. Finally, 79% disagree to being a coauthor of an article written by a medical writer when no substantial scientific contribution is made.

Conclusions

Among Italian oncologists COI is perceived as an important issue influencing costs, education, care and science. A more rigorous policy on COI should be implemented.

SUBMITTER: DeCensi A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6042593 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Conflict of interest among Italian medical oncologists: a national survey.

DeCensi Andrea A Numico Gianmauro G Ballatori Enzo E Artioli Fabrizio F Clerico Mario M Fioretto Luisa L Livellara Virginia V Ruggeri Benedetta B Tomirotti Maurizio M Verusio Claudio C Roila Fausto F

BMJ open 20180630 6

<h4>Objectives</h4>To assess Italian medical oncologists' opinion on the implications of conflict of interest (COI) on medical education, care and research, and to evaluate their direct financial relationships.<h4>Design</h4>National cross-sectional survey conducted between March and April 2017 among Italian oncologists.<h4>Setting</h4>Online survey sponsored by the Italian College of Medical Oncology Chiefs through its website.<h4>Participants</h4>Italian oncologists who filled out an anonymous ...[more]

PMID: 29961019

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIn June 2016, when the Parliament of Canada passed Bill C-14, the country joined the small number of jurisdictions that have legalized medical assistance in dying (maid). Since legalization, nearly 7000 Canadians have received maid, most of whom (65%) had an underlying diagnosis of cancer. Although Bill C-14 specifies the need for government oversight and monitoring of maid, the government-collected data to date have tracked patient characteristics, rather than clinician encounters and beliefs. We aimed to understand the views of Canadian oncologists 2 years after the legalization of maid.MethodsWe developed and administered an online survey to medical and radiation oncologists to understand their exposure to maid, self-perceived knowledge, willingness to participate, and perception of the role of oncologists in introducing maid as an end-of-life care option. We used complete sampling through the Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists and the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology membership e-mail lists. The survey was sent to 691 physicians: 366 radiation oncologists and 325 medical oncologists. Data were collected during March-June 2018. Results are presented using descriptive statistics and univariate or multivariate analysis.ResultsThe survey attracted 224 responses (response rate: 32.4%). Of the responding oncologists, 70% have been approached by patients requesting maid. Oncologists were of mixed confidence in their knowledge of the eligibility criteria. Oncologists were most willing to engage in maid with an assessment for eligibility, and yet most refer to specialized teams for assessments. In terms of introducing maid as an end-of-life option, slightly more than half the responding physicians (52.8%) would initiate a conversation about maid with a patient under certain circumstances, most commonly the absence of viable therapeutic options, coupled with unmanageable patient distress.ConclusionsIn this first national survey of Canadian oncologists about maid, we found that most respondents encounter patient requests for maid, are confident in their knowledge about eligibility, and are willing to act as assessors of eligibility. Many oncologists believe that, under some circumstances, it is appropriate to present maid as a therapeutic option at the end of life. That finding warrants further deliberation by national or regional bodies for the development of consensus guidelines to ensure equitable access to maid for patients who wish to pursue it.

Dataset Information

Conflict of interest among Italian medical oncologists: a national survey.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Main outcome measure

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Conflict of interest among Italian medical oncologists: a national survey.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets