Zimny is right that there is an imbalance in the relationship between doctor and patient, which means knowledge of a doctor's financial interests is never going to be a panacea for resolving all biases and prejudices in medicine. However, a register like whopaysthisdoctor is not just for patients, but also for doctors.
As doctors we are often reliant on the views of Key Opinion Leaders for the clinical knowledge we acquire and the decision we make. Whether it is through journal articles, editorials, educational events or published guidance it is essential that we have a good understanding of whose lead we are following, and whether or not they have any affiliation with the treatment that they recommend.
It is often difficult to ascertain a doctor's interests due to inconsistencies in their declaration - particularly at conferences and educational events where the culture of declaration is not well embedded. If the GMC held a single, compulsory, publicly available list that would make such a process simple and reliable, while also making it convenient for doctors who would only make one declaration per annum rather than every time they publish.
Competing interests:
I have received income from publishers including Pulse, Prescriber, and The Guardian, for writing and speaking. I played a small part in setting up the website whopaysthisdoctor.org and my full declaration can be found there.
Rapid Response:
Re: Who pays this doctor? It’s time patients knew
Zimny is right that there is an imbalance in the relationship between doctor and patient, which means knowledge of a doctor's financial interests is never going to be a panacea for resolving all biases and prejudices in medicine. However, a register like whopaysthisdoctor is not just for patients, but also for doctors.
As doctors we are often reliant on the views of Key Opinion Leaders for the clinical knowledge we acquire and the decision we make. Whether it is through journal articles, editorials, educational events or published guidance it is essential that we have a good understanding of whose lead we are following, and whether or not they have any affiliation with the treatment that they recommend.
It is often difficult to ascertain a doctor's interests due to inconsistencies in their declaration - particularly at conferences and educational events where the culture of declaration is not well embedded. If the GMC held a single, compulsory, publicly available list that would make such a process simple and reliable, while also making it convenient for doctors who would only make one declaration per annum rather than every time they publish.
Competing interests: I have received income from publishers including Pulse, Prescriber, and The Guardian, for writing and speaking. I played a small part in setting up the website whopaysthisdoctor.org and my full declaration can be found there.