The percentage of physicians with relationships to medical device manufacturers and drugmakers fell from 2004-2009, but independent physicians still had more relationships than hospital-employed or academic physicians, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.
In 2004, about 80 percent of surveyed physicians accepted gifts of food and beverages from industry in their workplaces, more than 75 percent were given drug samples, more than one-third accepted reimbursement from companies for professional meetings or continued medical education, and more than one-quarter accepted payment for consulting, speaking, clinical trials or other professional services.
In 2009, 70.6 percent accepted food and beverages from industry, 63.8 percent received drug samples, 18.3 percent accepted money for meetings and 14.1 percent accepted payments for professional services.
However, 83.8 percent of physicians still had some kind of industry relationship in 2009. "It is clear that industry still has substantial financial links with the nation's physicians," the authors wrote. "These findings support the ongoing need for a national system of disclosure of physician-industry relationships."
The survey covered physicians in internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, general surgery, psychiatry and anesthesiology. Industry connections were more common among cardiologists (92.8 percent) than psychiatrists (79.8 percent) and among physicians in solo and group practices than among those in hospital and academic settings.
Read the report in the Archives of Internal Medicine on gifts from industry.
Read more coverage of gifts to physicians from industry.
- Health Reform Provision Should Dampen Medical Device, Drug Payments to Physicians
- Minnesota, New York Propose Bans on Industry Gifts
- New Jersey Considering Crackdown on Industry Payments to Physicians
In 2004, about 80 percent of surveyed physicians accepted gifts of food and beverages from industry in their workplaces, more than 75 percent were given drug samples, more than one-third accepted reimbursement from companies for professional meetings or continued medical education, and more than one-quarter accepted payment for consulting, speaking, clinical trials or other professional services.
In 2009, 70.6 percent accepted food and beverages from industry, 63.8 percent received drug samples, 18.3 percent accepted money for meetings and 14.1 percent accepted payments for professional services.
However, 83.8 percent of physicians still had some kind of industry relationship in 2009. "It is clear that industry still has substantial financial links with the nation's physicians," the authors wrote. "These findings support the ongoing need for a national system of disclosure of physician-industry relationships."
The survey covered physicians in internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, general surgery, psychiatry and anesthesiology. Industry connections were more common among cardiologists (92.8 percent) than psychiatrists (79.8 percent) and among physicians in solo and group practices than among those in hospital and academic settings.
Read the report in the Archives of Internal Medicine on gifts from industry.
Read more coverage of gifts to physicians from industry.
- Health Reform Provision Should Dampen Medical Device, Drug Payments to Physicians
- Minnesota, New York Propose Bans on Industry Gifts
- New Jersey Considering Crackdown on Industry Payments to Physicians