Navigating Conflicts of Interest – Waltzing With a Porcupine – MM1304
In a medical context, a conflict of interest (COI) is a set of circumstances that creates a risk that a health professional’s judgement or responsibility
may be deflected from his primary concern (usually the patient) to a secondary party (usually him/herself). It is the ‘set of circumstances’ that define a COI, and these exist whether or not improper actions ensue. To use a religious analogy, a COI is the temptation and not the sin.
Modern Medicine – April 2013
