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Changes in U.S. medical school conflict of interest policies from 2014 to 2023

Author

Listed:
  • Shamik Bhat
  • Devika A Shenoy
  • Magda Wojtara
  • Alissa Kainrath
  • Oak Sonfist
  • Jantzen Faulkner
  • Brianna Wang
  • Linnea Wilson
  • Timothy S Anderson

Abstract

Background: Concerns about the influence of the pharmaceutical industry on medical education, ranging from education of students to professional development, have led professional societies to recommend regulation of interactions between industry and medical schools. The objective of this study was to evaluate conflict of interest (COI) policies at medical schools in 2023 compared to 2014. Methods: This study used a cross-sectional design to evaluate the COI policies at the top 30 medical schools identified by US News and World Report rankings. The authors collected policies by survey and review of public websites, and assessed their quality across 15 domains informed by guidelines published by leading national organizations and previous PharmFree Scorecards. Each domain was graded on a 3-level scale derived from professional organization guidelines, which when totaled corresponded to the following letter grades: an “A” (score 38–45), “B” (32–37), “C” (25–31), and “I/F” (

Suggested Citation

  • Shamik Bhat & Devika A Shenoy & Magda Wojtara & Alissa Kainrath & Oak Sonfist & Jantzen Faulkner & Brianna Wang & Linnea Wilson & Timothy S Anderson, 2026. "Changes in U.S. medical school conflict of interest policies from 2014 to 2023," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 21(3), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0344046
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0344046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kirsten E Austad & Jerry Avorn & Aaron S Kesselheim, 2011. "Medical Students' Exposure to and Attitudes about the Pharmaceutical Industry: A Systematic Review," Working Papers id:4237, eSocialSciences.
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