NEEDS STATEMENT

There is a need to address the lack of knowledge regarding conflicts of interest that can occur in a health sciences institution, including financial interests that may conflict with decision-making related to patient care or independence in research. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), physicians should not provide wasteful and unnecessary treatment that may cause needless expense solely for the physician’s financial benefit or for the benefit of a hospital or other health care organization with which the physician is affiliated. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid reported an agency record 176 self-disclosures in 2023 with settlements totaling over $12 million with regards to Stark Law violations. The AMA also notes that minimizing and mitigating conflicts of interest in clinical research is imperative if the medical community is to justify and maintain trust in the medical research community. This education aims to provide updated knowledge, resources for increasing competence, and access to tools BCM has created to help identify these conflicts and properly report them.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Physicians, Fellows, Residents, Nurse Practitioners, Physicians Assistants, Nurses

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES

At the conclusion of the activity, participants should be able to:

• Recognize the importance of identifying and reporting possible conflicts of interest to maintain professional integrity.
• Identify the types of conflicts of interest that may arise and their potential implications.
• Describe the process of reporting any conflicts of interest.

EDUCATIONAL METHODS

Education Module, including interview videos

EVALUATION

Evaluation by questionnaire will address program content, presentation, and possible bias.

ACTIVITY DIRECTOR

Ashley Tohill, CPC, COC - ashley.tohill@bcm.edu