The desired outcome of this Boonshoft School of Medicine is to conduct CME activities that are free of the appearance of or actual conflicts of interest ("COI") and the introduction/demonstration of bias in favor or against a commercial product, service, or device in return for known or unknown personal and professional gain. All individuals in a position to influence the content of a certified CME activity must disclose any relevant financial relationship that might affect their independent involvement in the proposed CME activity.
Definitions
- “Commercial entity” is any entity producing, marketing, re-selling, or distributing health care goods or services consumed by, or used on, patients. Note the below organizations are NOT considered commercial entities: most 501-C non-profit organizations (unless connected to a commercial entity), government organizations, non-health care related companies, liability insurance providers, health insurance providers, group medical practices. for-profit hospitals, for-profit rehabilitation centers, for-profit nursing homes.
- “Relevant financial relationship” is defined as a financial benefit that you, your spouse, or a partner has had within the past 12 months. This pertains to salaries, royalties, intellectual property rights, consulting fees, honoraria, ownership interest or other financial benefits with pharmaceutical companies, biomedical device manufacturers or other corporations whose products or services are related to the subject matter of the presentation topic.
Please note the following from the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support: “An individual who refuses to disclose relevant financial relationships will be disqualified from being a planning committee member, a teacher or an author of CME and cannot have control of, or responsibility for, the development, management, presentation or evaluation of a CME activity.”