title: Patient views on financial relationships between surgeons and surgical device manufacturers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the past decade, revelations of inappropriate financial relationships between surgeons and surgical device manufacturers have challenged the presumption that surgeons can collaborate with surgical device manufacturers without damaging public trust in the surgical profession. We explored postoperative Canadian patients' knowledge and opinions about financial relationships between surgeons and surgical device manufacturers.
  
  
  METHODS
  This complex issue was explored using qualitative methods. We conducted semistructured face-to-face interviews with postoperative patients in follow-up arthroplasty clinics at an academic hospital in Toronto, Canada. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed and analyzed. Patient-derived concepts and themes were uncovered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We interviewed 33 patients. Five major themes emerged: 1) many patients are unaware of the existence of financial relationships between surgeons and surgical device manufacturers; 2) patients approve of financial relationships that support innovation and research but are opposed to relationships that involve financial incentives that benefit only the surgeon and the manufacturer; 3) patients do not support disclosure of financial relationships during the consent process as it may shift focus away from the more important risks; 4) patients support oversight at the professional level but reject the idea of government involvement in oversight; and 5) patients entrust their surgeons to make appropriate patient-centred choices.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This qualitative study deepens our understanding of financial relationships between surgeons and industry. Patients support relationships with industry that provide potential benefit to current or future patients. They trust our ability to self-regulate. Disclosure combined with appropriate oversight will strengthen public trust in professional collaboration with industry.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, (Camp, Gross, McKneally); the Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, (McKneally); the Hospital for Sick Children (Camp); and Mount Sinai Hospital, (Gross) Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Camp
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, (Camp, Gross, McKneally); the Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, (McKneally); the Hospital for Sick Children (Camp); and Mount Sinai Hospital, (Gross) Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Allan E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Gross
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, (Camp, Gross, McKneally); the Joint Centre for Bioethics, University of Toronto, (McKneally); the Hospital for Sick Children (Camp); and Mount Sinai Hospital, (Gross) Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: Martin F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: McKneally
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D016265:Conflict of Interest; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D066192:Manufacturing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066231:Surgeons / Q000941:ethics*; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D014342:Truth Disclosure / Q000941:ethics*