title: Exploring Perceptions of Early-Career Psychiatrists About Their Relationships With the Pharmaceutical Industry.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The pharmaceutical industry has engaged physicians through medical education, patient care, and medical research. New conflict of interest policy has highlighted the challenges to these relationships. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions that early career psychiatrists (e.g. those within 5 years of entering practice) have regarding their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Interviews were conducted and analyzed in an iterative way using a constant comparison approach in which data were collected and open coded for themes and subthemes. As new interviews were conducted, the themes were applied to data along with emergent themes and previous interviews recoded until additional interviews failed to provide new themes and thematic saturation was achieved. Through axial coding, a process of relating codes (categories and concepts) to each other, the theory was generated to explain the core variable mediating perceptions participants had about the relationship with industry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The participants described increasing frequency of experiences with industry throughout training into practice. Their perceptions developed through training, physician culture, industry promotion, and their own practices. In managing the relationship with industry, participants would either avoid interactions or engage in behaviors aimed to reduce the risk of influence. Maintaining one's professional integrity was the underlying driver used to manage the relationship with industry.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychiatrists develop perceptions about industry through experience and observation leading them to develop their own strategies to manage these relationships while maintaining their professional integrity.
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada. tjstark@ucalgary.ca.
authors: Thomas Johann
authors: TJ
authors: Stark
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Alvin Keith
authors: AK
authors: Brownell
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Nancy Patricia
authors: NP
authors: Brager
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Amanda
authors: A
authors: Berg
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Rhea
authors: R
authors: Balderston
authors: University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors: Jocelyn Margot
authors: JM
authors: Lockyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D004345:Drug Industry / Q000941:ethics*; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations / Q000941:ethics*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000941:ethics*; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: Conflict of interest; Grounded theory; Medical education; Pharmaceutical industry