ACCF/AHA Consensus Conference Report on Professionalism and Ethics

2020 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics: A Consensus Conference Report

“…The 21st Bethesda Conference (Ethics in Cardiovascular Medicine) was held in October 1989 2 ; the 29th Bethesda Conference (Ethics in Cardiovascular Medicine [1997]) was held in October 1997 3 ; and the collaborative effort (ACC/AHA Consensus Conference on Professionalism and Ethics) was held in June 2004. 4 The specific major topics and subtopics discussed in these conferences reflect the ethical and professional issues extant at the time of the assemblies.…”

“…The 2004 “ACC/AHA Consensus Conference Report on Professionalism and Ethics” 4 addressed issues related to relationships with commercial interests in detail, including issues related to educational activities and publications. In 2014, 34 the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education published detailed minimum compliance requirements for continuing medical education activities.…”

“…The ACC/AHA Consensus Conference 4 dwelt on codes of conduct in human subjects research (HSR); investigator participation in clinical research; disclosure of relationships with commercial interests and policies for educational activities and publications; appropriate clinical care and issues of self-referral; expert testimony and opinions; and a code of conduct for organizational staff and volunteer leadership.…”

The AHA/ACC Consensus Conference: A Roadmap for Success or Just a Long Road?

“…codes of conduct in research and other areas, conflicts of interest, self-referral, and expert testimony. 3 That same year, however, 8 working groups from the 35 th Bethesda Conference also came together to develop a series of recommendations to address the growing shortage of cardiologists. 4 Working Groups 2 and 3 addressed how to encourage women and minorities to choose a career in cardiology.…”

The benefits of moving quality to a national level

“…High-profile concerns about conflicts of interest in this arena serve as a warning that continued empirical study and policy analysis of the constitution and functioning of guidelines committees is required if a societal consensus is to be reached 11. In addition to safeguarding public trust in guidelines, renewed efforts should be directed toward developing an efficient system of updating guidelines in a balanced fashion, so that relevant professional consensus is readily available to practitioners.…”