Conflicts of interest in medical practice.
It has become more and more apparent that some aspects of current medical practice can no longer be kept solely within the private preserve of the profession. Medical error is now treated in an open fashion because it is clear that frank debate over its incidence, causes and mechanisms are crucial to effective prevention. This has always been one of our worst kept secrets. Equally conflicts of interest [1] assume particular relevance in an occupation whose foundation values demand a robust ethical identity. This is the topic of this essay.
Lobo Antunes
J
J
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal.
D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005378:Financial Support; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D009493:Neurosurgery