title: Conflicts of interest in dermatology.
abstract: Conflicts of interest exist in dermatology when professional judgement concerning a primary interest, such as research validity, may be influenced by a secondary interest, such as financial gain from a for-profit organization. Conflict of interest is a condition and not a behaviour, although there is clear evidence that gifts influence behaviour. Little has been written about conflicts of interest in dermatology. This series of papers raises awareness of the subject by exploring it in greater depth from the perspective of a dermatology researcher, an industry researcher, a dermatology journal editor, a health services researcher and a patient representative. Collectively, they illustrate the many ways in which conflicts can pervade the world of dermatology publications and patient support group activities.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Evidence-Based Dermatology, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, UK. hywel.williams@nottingham.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hywel C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Naldi
authors.forename: Carle
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vahlquist
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schroter
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jobling
mesh_terms: D001319:Authorship; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000191:economics; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D003880:Dermatology; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D011643:Publishing; D012109:Research Support as Topic