Professional Medical Associations and Their Relationships With Industry

Abstract

ROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ASSOCIAtions (PMAs), bringing together physicians in the same specialty or subspecialty, make many distinctive contributions to advancing the quality of medical care. In the first instance, PMAs play a vital role in medical education. Their meetings, publications, journals, and continuing medical education (CME) courses inform members of new and established diagnostic and treatment procedures. The PMAs also issue detailed practice guidelines that set the standards for efficient and effective patient care. Moreover, PMAs define ethical norms for their members, promulgating codes of conduct for professional behavior. At the same time, PMAs pursue a public agenda. They advocate for the particular interests of their members, for patients, and for what they believe to be the best interests of society. [1][2][3]

Academic Emergency Medicine Can Print Pharmaceutical Advertising While Not Compromising Its Mission or Its Integrity

“…13 Adoption of the policies and principles advocated by Rothman et al 7 to govern industry advertising in AEM would provide intelligent guidance to permit our society to take a measured and balanced step forward, in a manner that maintains the ethical high ground, while permitting the financial benefits of advertising that will accrue. …”

“…This issue has recently been revisited within JAMA. 7 The Department of Health of the State of Massachusetts has mandated an end to the practice of providing even small gifts, such as pens and Post-It notes. 8 Physicians affiliated with Harvard University ''may no longer accept gifts and meals from drug and device firms….''…”

“…Rothman et al 7 cite five underlying principles and premises that can favor and guide reasonable advertising policies. These include:…”

“…• ''…PMAs must set their own agendas and priorities and remain faithful to them.'' Rothman et al 7 then make a series of recommendations that address these principles and premises. These recommendations are included within the following topical areas:…”

Effectively Communicating Colorectal Cancer Screening Information to Primary Care Providers

“…These organizations, which serve physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners, are utilized by the provider community for conferences, publications, continuing medical credit, medical education, practice guidelines, and opportunities to participate in research. 20,21 Partner organizations were contacted directly through in-person, telephone and/or e-mail correspondence. In response to KCC's inquiry, a Center for Rural Health in western Kentucky offered to assist with two focus groups which were held at a regional hospital during both daytime and evening hours; an Area Health Education Center in central Kentucky invited the project team to conduct a focus group during their regional conference at a local high school; and an osteopathic medical school instructor assisted with the eastern Kentucky focus group held at a regional hospital.…”