Conflict of interest in medical research or clinical trial refers to situations where a patient’s health is compromised by either financial or non-financial gains. It is defined as a dispute between a physician’s decision in patient’s best interest, and any potential personal gain.
Concerns regarding the influence of biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical industries in research activities and funding of clinical trials have been increasing since the 1970’s. Conflict of interest arising from wide range of financial ties with the private industry leads to undue pressure on professional judgments and put the objectivity of professional education and the patient’s care and confidence in medicine at risk.
This bias may affect adverse events reporting, data analysis and interpretation. As such, there is a growing need to safeguard the interest of the human subjects and to protect their welfare while participating in research and clinical trials.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- History
- Types of conflict of interest:
- Financial conflict of interest:
- Investigator based conflict of interest:
- Institutional based conflict of interest:
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) based conflict of interest:
- Conflict of interest in publication
- Management of conflicts of interest:
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This text explores the various types of conflict of interest that arise in medical research and clinical trials, specifically examining the potential impact of financial and non-financial gains on research integrity and patient welfare. The text delves into the historical context of these conflicts, highlighting significant cases that have shaped current ethical considerations.
- The impact of financial ties between industry and researchers on research integrity and patient care.
- The importance of transparency and disclosure in managing conflicts of interest.
- The role of institutional review boards (IRBs) in protecting research participants and ensuring ethical research practices.
- The ethical considerations surrounding publication bias and the influence of conflicts of interest on scientific communication.
- Strategies for managing conflicts of interest to maintain the credibility and objectivity of medical research.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction defines conflict of interest in medical research as situations where a patient's health is compromised by personal gains, highlighting the growing concern regarding influence from pharmaceutical companies and the need to protect human subjects.
The history section traces the evolution of conflict of interest concerns, citing the Tuskegee Syphilis study and the Willowbrook Hepatitis studies as examples of historical ethical violations. It also discusses the impact of the Bayh-Dole Act on industry-sponsored research and the subsequent efforts to regulate financial conflicts of interest.
The chapter on types of conflict of interest categorizes financial conflicts, including investigator-based, institutional-based, and IRB-based conflicts. It examines the potential biases associated with industry-funded research, emphasizing the need for robust oversight mechanisms.
The section on conflict of interest in publication discusses the ethical considerations surrounding non-financial conflicts, such as personal relationships, institutional affiliations, and academic competition. It highlights the potential for publication bias and the importance of transparency in scientific communication.
The chapter on management of conflicts of interest emphasizes the need for timely reporting, identification, and management of conflicts to maintain research credibility. It discusses the importance of disclosure and oversight by independent boards.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This text focuses on the key concepts of conflict of interest, medical research, clinical trials, financial ties, research integrity, patient welfare, transparency, disclosure, institutional review boards (IRBs), publication bias, and ethical considerations.
- Quote paper
- Anu Rastogi (Author), 2015, Conflict of Interest in Medical Research and Clinical Trials, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/321144
