Do academic institutions need more than verbal disclosures to control and resolve conflict of interest in continuing education?

Abstract

Farhan Vakani,Mughis Sheerani

Conflict of interest is in its essence, conflict of faithfulness and disloyalty to human relationship. Circumstances create a conflict of interest, when an individual has an opportunity to affect continuing medical education content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship. Academic institutions hold a huge responsibility in role modelling and must place a higher priority in following and complying to the conflict of interest policies for the well-being of the public than on individuals’ personal or proprietary interest. The purpose of this account is to bring into discussion the ways other than verbal disclosure to manage conflict of interest in continuing education by academia.