"ComingSoon:yourdoctorsfinancialties.com" | Arthritis Information

 

From WSJ Health Blog:

http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2009/01/22/coming-soon-yourdoctorsfinancialtiescom/

From the blog:
"Some new information recently showed up on the Cleveland Clinic’s online profiles of its doctors.

Down there below “Awards & Honors” and “Professional Memberships,” a section called “Industry Relationships” lists companies that have paid the doc speaking and consulting of ,000 or more per year, and “any equity, royalties, and fiduciary relationships” in companies the doc works with.

It sounds straightforward enough. But, as a perspective piece in this week’s New England Journal of Medicine points out, it’s part of a big shift that embraces Congress, the medical profession and the drug and device industries." WoooHooo - I want to know more about the Physician Payments Sunshine Act! Here is the example they give from the Cleveland Clinic, a dr. who states he does not keep any of the money:
Dr. Nissen reports that he has consulted for the following companies and has them donate all honoraria or consulting fees directly to non-profit organizations so that he receives neither income nor a tax deduction.

Xintria

I hadn't considered the tax deduction for donating to charity.  And are drs. doing legitimate work they should be compensated for feeling pressure to donate their earnings?  It's really complicated, isn't it?


Well, it's good that it's happening, although it is awkward for some doctors.GRRRR!  Doctors making sick people wait while visiting with a drug rep!  I am all for being able to see just exactly why that visit is so important!
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