To the Editor: Comparing Australian medical school policies regarding conflict of interest (COI) to their United States counterparts, Mason and Tattersall1 conclude that within Australia there is “a need for improved self-regulation”. The authors are applauded for highlighting this important aspect of medical education and organisational practice; however, the comparisons made fail to acknowledge a number of contextual differences that undermine the conclusions drawn.
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- Griffith University, Southport, QLD.
- 1. Mason PR, Tattersall MHN. Conflicts of interest: a review of institutional policy in Australian medical schools. Med J Aust 2011; 194: 121-125. <MJA full text>
- 2. Association of American Medical Colleges. Industry funding of medical education. Report of an AAMC task force. Washington, DC: AAMC, 2008. http://www.ucsfcme.com/news/IndustryFundingMedicalEduation.pdf (accessed Jun 2011).
- 3. Policy and Medicine. Physician Payment Sunshine Provisions: Patient Protection Affordable Care Act passed the House. 2010 Mar 22. http://www.policymed.com/2010/03/physician-payment-sunshine-provisions-patient-protection-affordable-care-act.html (accessed Jun 2011).
- 4. Australian Medical Association. Position statement on doctors’ relationships with industry — 2010. Canberra: AMA, 2010. http://ama.com.au/node/5421 (accessed Jun 2011).
- 5. Carmody DM, Mansfield PR. What do medical students think about pharmaceutical promotion? Aust Med Student J 2010; 1: 54-57.