Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Practice: Cleveland Clinic Policy and Experience

J Law Med Ethics. 2024;52(3):734-742. doi: 10.1017/jme.2024.143. Epub 2024 Dec 16.

Abstract

The Cleveland Clinic Innovation Management and Conflict of Interest ("IM&COI") Program implemented a policy on Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Practice in 2013. The policy requires review of financial interests greater than $20,000 in a year, or more than 5% equity in a company, when the clinician is prescribing or using products of the company with which they have a relationship. The IM&COI Committee developed definitions for low, medium and high levels of annual compensation and risk and uses a "Matrix" to guide disclosure based on these factors.

Keywords: Clinical Practice; Conflicts of Interest; Disclosure; Financial Interest; Policy.

MeSH terms

  • Conflict of Interest*
  • Disclosure* / ethics
  • Disclosure* / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Drug Industry / ethics
  • Humans
  • Ohio
  • Organizational Policy