Interactions between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry: A study into the perceptions of the early career psychiatrist
Date
2014-08-19
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Abstract
Background: The pharmaceutical industry has very successfully engaged physicians through supporting medical education, patient care and medical research. New conflict of interest policy has highlighted some of the challenges to these relationships.
Objectives: To explore the perceptions that early career psychiatrists (e.g. those within 5 years of entering practice) have regarding their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry.
Methods: Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Theory was generated around how applicants experienced, developed perceptions around and managed their relationship with industry. Axial coding was used to generate theory around the core variable mediating the perceptions participants had about the relationship between physicians and industry.
Results: Participants described increasing frequency of experiences with industry as they progressed from training to independent practice throughout a variety of contexts. Perceptions around their relationship with industry developed through factors relating to their training environment, physician culture, how industry promotes its products and their own practice of medicine. In managing their relationship with industry, participants would either avoid interactions or engage in behaviours aimed to reduce the risk of becoming influenced by industry. Maintaining one’s professional integrity is the underlying driver managing the relationship between early career psychiatrists and industry.
Conclusions: Psychiatrists develop perceptions about industry through experience and observation leading them to develop their own strategies to manage these relationships around the critical need they have to maintain their professional integrity.
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Citation
Stark, T. (2014). Interactions between physicians and the pharmaceutical industry: A study into the perceptions of the early career psychiatrist (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26600