Healthy Skepticism Library item: 19426

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Publication type: Journal Article

Fugh-Berman A, Brown SR, Trippett R, Bell AM, Clark P, Fleg A, Siwek J
Closing the Door on Pharma? A National Survey of Family Medicine Residencies Regarding Industry Interactions
Acad Med. 2011 Mar 23;
http://journals.lww.com/academicmedicine/Abstract/publishahead/Closing_the_Door_on_Pharma__A_National_Survey_of.99863.aspx

Abstract:

Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the extent and
type of interactions U.S. family
medicine residencies permit industry
to have with medical students and
residents.

METHOD: In 2008, the authors
e-mailed a four-question survey to
residency directors or coordinators
at all 460 accredited U.S. family
medicine residencies concerning the
types of industry support and
interaction permitted. The authors
conducted quantitative and
qualitative analyses of survey
responses and written comments.
Residencies that did not permit any
industry food, gifts, samples, or
support of residency activities were
designated “pharma-free.”

RESULTS: The survey response rate
was 62.2% (286/460). Among
responding family medicine
residencies, 52.1% refused drug
samples, 48.6% disallowed industry
gifts or food, 68.5% forbade
industry-sponsored residency
activities, and 44.1% denied
industry access to students and
residents at the family medicine
center. Seventy-five residencies
(26.2%) were designated as
“pharma-free.” Medical-school-based
and medical-school-administered
residencies were no more likely than
community-based residencies to be
pharma-free. Among the 211 programs
that permitted interaction, 68.7%
allowed gifts or food, 61.1%
accepted drug samples, 71.1% allowed
industry representatives access to
trainees in the family medicine
center, and 37.9% allowed
industry-sponsored residency
activities. Respondents commented on
challenges inherent to limiting
industry interactions. Many programs
noted recent changes in plans or
practices.

CONCLUSIONS: Most family medicine
residencies limit industry
interaction with trainees. Because
industry interactions can have
adverse effects on rational
prescribing, residency programs
should assess the benefits and harms
of these relationships.