FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
The Importance of Identification. In order for the audience to evaluate information, analysis and opinions presented during a CME activity sponsored by the International College of Surgeons-United States Section (ICSUS), it is crucial that the audience be informed of ALL financial relationships of a planner, speaker, author, peer-reviewer or spouse. All planners, speakers, authors and peer-reviewers for a CME activity are required to submit FULL DISCLOSURE of ALL financial relationships with ineligible companies prior to the CME activity including those of a spouse or domestic partner. Ineligible companies are those whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients .
Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit. Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. ACCME considers relationships of the person involved in the CME activity to include financial relationships of a spouse or partner.
A conflict of interest (COI) occurs when there is a divergence between an individual's private interests and his or her professional obligations to ICSUS such that an independent observer might reasonably question whether the individual's professional actions or decisions are determined by considerations of personal gain, financial or otherwise. A conflict of interest depends on the situation, and not on the character or actions of the individual.
A COI is present when a planner, speaker, author, peer-reviewer or spouse has both a current financial relationship with an ineligible company and the opportunity to affect content relevant to products or services of that ineligible company. Conflicts of interest are identified through an analysis of the information disclosed and an understanding of the planned content of the CME activity.
In order for the ICSUS to determine whether a conflict of interest exists, you must provide information about all financial relationships you have with any and all ineligible companies within the past 24 months. This includes relationships with companies that may not have an interest in your presentation, but with which you have a relationship. ICSUS must be informed of all relationships to independently make the determination as to whether or not the relationship is relevant to your presentation. Note that you should also indicate if the relationship has ended and when.
I have read the ICSUS policies regarding “financial disclosure” (click here to view complete policy and FAQs ) and I attest that: