Physician Disclosures in the Real World of Conflicting Interests

Summary

This study seeks to ascertain the best way to inform patients about their physicians' conflicts of interest (COI) with industry. Currently, there is no institutional or national standard for such physician-to-patient disclosures. The primary aim of this study is to test different written disclosures and assess their impact on patients' knowledge of their physicians' COIs and on patients' trust in their physician and their healthcare institution. The secondary aim is to investigate whether physician disclosures of significant financial industry relationships are desired by patients and whether disclosures impact patients' knowledge, perceptions, and behaviors. The tertiary aim is to investigate physicians' current practices of disclosure and perceptions about the risks, benefits, and feasibility of using patient disclosures to manage financial relationships, and to determine whether any physician fears are borne out in practice once disclosures are implemented.

Conditions

• Conflicts of Interest

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Disclosure Letter-RISKS

This disclosure letter will provide information on the physicians' financial relationships with industry, and will also provide a standardized statement regarding the potential RISKS of physicians' conflicts of interest with for-profit industry. This letter also includes a standard statement reminding the patient about the appointment and the location of the appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Disclosure Letter-BENEFITS

This disclosure letter will provide information on the physicians' financial relationships with industry, and will also provide a standardized statement regarding the potential BENEFITS of physicians' conflicts of interest with for-profit industry. This letter also includes a standard statement reminding the patient about the appointment and the location of the appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Disclosure Letter-RISKS AND BENEFITS

This disclosure letter will provide information on the physicians' financial relationships with industry, and will also provide a standardized statement regarding the potential RISKS AND BENEFITS of physicians' conflicts of interest with for-profit industry. This letter also includes a standard statement reminding the patient about the appointment and the location of the appointment.

BEHAVIORAL

Disclosure Letter-NO RISKS OR BENEFITS

This letter includes a standard statement reminding the patient about the appointment and the location of the appointment.and DOES NOT provide any information on the physicians' financial relationships with industry nor information regarding the potential risks and benefits of physicians' conflicts of interest with for-profit industry.

BEHAVIORAL

Letter-APPOINTMENT REMINDER

This letter only includes a standard statement reminding the patient about the appointment and the location of the appointment.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Cleveland Clinic

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Masking

NONE

Model

FACTORIAL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2014-11-30

Primary Completion

2016-04-30

Completion

2016-04-30