Volume 196 - Issue 7
Conflict of interest guidelines for clinical guidelines
Authors: Dev A S Kevat, Michael J Williams and Bebe Loff
Med J Aust 2012; 196 (7): 442. || doi: 10.5694/mja12.10341
Published online: 16 April 2012
Published online: 16 April 2012
To the Editor: The recent letter
by McLaren1 focuses attention on conflicts of interest which can arise from public, rather than private, relationships. We, as authors of a recent article on developing guidelines about conflicts ...
To the Editor: The recent letter by McLaren1 focuses attention on conflicts of interest which can arise from public, rather than private, relationships. We, as authors of a recent article on developing guidelines about conflicts of interest,2 wish to comment on this particular issue. Certainly, the potential influence of an anticipated government appointment or promotion, or government research funding (or the feared loss of a position or of funding) is rarely recognised as constituting a conflict of interest.
Our discussion of sources of conflict, and our six-step process for improving conflict of interest disclosure should encompass conflicts arising from any source. However, the range of ways in which conflicts might arise must be properly understood in order for our process to operate as intended. This includes any matter that may bias or unduly influence advice being given. We agree that potential receipt or loss of government funding and appointments should be disclosed, possibly more so than is current practice.
Competing interests
No relevant disclosures.
References
- McLaren PJ. Conflict of interest guidelines for clinical guidelines [letter]. Med J Aust 2012; 196: 113. 0_CHDDIIGD
- Williams MJ, Kevat DAS, Loff B. Conflict of interest guidelines for clinical guidelines. Med J Aust 2011; 195: 442-445. 0_CBBBBGID