November 12th, 2010 by RyanDuBosar in Better Health Network, News, Research
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Physicians and particularly primary care doctors are reporting fewer industry ties than five years ago, according to a survey.
While 94% of doctors reported some type of perk from a drug or device maker in 2004, 83.8% did in 2009, researchers reported in the Nov. 8 Archives of Internal Medicine.
Researchers surveyed a stratified random sample of 2,938 primary care physicians (internal medicine, family practice, and pediatrics) and specialists (cardiology, general surgery, psychiatry and anesthesiology) with a 64.4% response rate. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at ACP Internist*
October 28th, 2010 by Steve Novella, M.D. in Better Health Network, Health Policy, Opinion, Quackery Exposed, Research
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In my group practice, the Yale Medical Group, drug company-sponsored lunches and similar events have been banned. This is part of a trend, at least within academic medicine, to create some distance between physicians and pharmaceutical companies, or at least their marketing divisions. The justifications for this are several, and are all reasonable. One reason is the appearance of being too cozy, which compromises the role of academic physicians as independent experts.
But the primary reason is the belief that “detailing” by pharmaceutical sales representatives has a negative effect on the prescribing habits of physicians. There is reason to believe this may be the case because of cases of bad behavior on the part of pharmaceutical marketing divisions — ghost writing white papers, for example.
The concern, backed by evidence, is that pharmaceutical companies introduce spin and bias into the information they provide to physicians, whether though CME, detailing, literature, or sponsored lectures. Even when the information itself is not massaged, it is cherry picked, so in the end physicians are not getting a thorough and unbiased assessment of the facts. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Science-Based Medicine*
July 6th, 2010 by GarySchwitzer in Better Health Network, Health Policy, News, Opinion, Quackery Exposed
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“Appetite for Instruction: Why Big Pharma should buy your doctor lunch sometimes” is the headline of an article on Slate.com that has upset many readers. I’m not terribly upset about it because it just seems too naive and misinformed to get upset about. The final line of the piece tells you all you need to know about the tone of the column:
“Ousting commercial support is creating a huge chasm in medical education, leaving doctors not only hungry but also starved for knowledge.”
A number of online comments were posted in reaction to the piece. Read more »
*This blog post was originally published at Gary Schwitzer's HealthNewsReview Blog*
June 11th, 2009 by DrRob in Better Health Network, True Stories
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Credit
I have to get some things off of my chest. A guilty conscience is something that can cause lots of problems, both emotional and physical. As David said in Psalm 32:
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried upas by the heat of summer.
Sounds like David lived in Georgia.
So here are my confessions:
I stole a bagel yesterday. I went to Pannera Bread Company yesterday and ordered a blueberry bagel (toasted and sliced). I have a cup that allows me to get free coffee, so when the woman at the counter was slicing and toasting I went got myself some dark roast. I chatted there with a woman about the fact that light roast actually has more caffeine than dark roast. As I went to the counter I saw someone I recognized, said “hi,” grabbed my bag and headed out the door. It was half-way to work when I realized I was now a criminal.
This morning I went back and tried to pay for yesterday’s bagel but she wouldn’t let me. I think she wanted me to live with my shame. I put the appropriate change into a can collecting money for a kids cancer camp.
I watch American Idol. Yes, I watched most every episode this year. Those who think I am all counter-culture can express their shock and disgust. I enjoy hearing them perform – they were especially talented this year – and we watch as a family. You must remember that I started college as a voice major, so I do like to hear good singing.
I was kind of pulling for Adam (his last name is almost the same as mine), but I thought Chris and Danny were worthy as well.
Sorry to those who now think less of me.
Our office allows drug reps to visit and give samples. We even have them give us lunch. I know there are some who think that this is the hight of immorality, but I have found them to be quite valuable. We have done our best to keep a limit on their access to us – they are not allowed to detail us in the hallway, only when they bring us lunch. Only 1 rep at a time and no more than 6/day (never more than one from one company).
We have a person on staff who is dedicated to getting patients medications when they can’t afford them. She will work with the reps to find a program for them and will give samples when possible.
Why do we do lunch? One main reason: for our staff. I actually skip it often because I get fat if I eat too much at lunch. Their finances are tight and so supplying them with lunch saves them money. The docs will generally tell the flat truth to the reps (”I dont prescribe your drug very much”). I do find that they have brought me good information at times.
Our practice has always been a lower utilizer of brand drugs when we have been measured (mainly United Healthcare), so I don’t think this has had an undue effect on us. Still, the conscience nags when others feel that pharma is the spawn of satan.
I have checked my blog in a patient room. During the more acute compulsive blogging phases, I have checked traffic during a lul in the exam room. I do actually feel guilty about this and have stopped doing it. I have NEVER twittered in the exam room, however.
There. I hope my bones don’t waste away now.
*This blog post was originally published at Musings of a Distractible Mind*
Physicians and particularly primary care doctors are reporting fewer industry ties than five years ago, according to a survey.
