Conflict of Interest for Podiatrists

Interpretive Guide

The interests of a podiatrist can be influenced in a variety of ways. Conflicts of interest can occur in the following situations:

1. A financial interest includes situations where podiatrist’s primary interest of patient welfare may be influenced by financial gain. Financial benefits may be direct or indirect. 

2. Indirect financial benefits occur when a podiatrist receives an indirect benefit such as:
   • industry supported funding for research on medical or paramedical devices; including but not limited to compressive stockings, braces, shoes, and/or orthotic devices; and
   • job security for supporting specific research.

2. A non-financial interest includes situations where podiatrists receive a secondary benefit not related to a payment such as:
   • recognition of professional achievement .e.g., desire for international recognition may impair clinical judgment when evaluating the effectiveness of a new procedure developed by the podiatrist.
   • career advancement e.g., failing to disclose a consulting relationship with an industry partner who gives the podiatrist a prestigious award.
   • support for religious/ideological beliefs, e.g., personal religious beliefs may interfere with objectivity in assisting to develop organizational policy.

3. A personal interest refers to situations where a podiatrist’s spouse or relative receives a secondary benefit such as:
   • referring patients to businesses or facilities in which the spouse or relative holds a material financial interest, including diagnostic and/or treatment facilities.
   • purchasing medical or paramedical devices; including but not limited to compressive stockings, braces, shoes, and/or orthotic devices from a relative.

A conflict of interest can be actual or perceived, provided the perception is reasonable.

Guiding Examples

The following examples illustrate conflicts that would require action by the podiatrist:

• The podiatrist chooses a supplier for surgical instruments, compressive stockings, braces, shoes, and/or orthotic devices where personal interests or indirect benefits may accrue.
• The podiatrist prescribes a drug to patients in situations where the podiatrist has a financial interest to do so.
• The podiatrist recommends or enlists a patient in a research study when the podiatrist has a financial interest to do so.
• The podiatry researcher’s allegiance to a particular school of thought in Diabetic care influences the integrity of Diabetes research.

For example, the following examples illustrate potential conflicts that would not require action:

• The podiatrist suggests a specialized shoe made by a company, shares of which they hold in their retirement fund. (Unless a significant holding is involved, this describes a situation where a reasonable person would not perceive the conflict to be adequately significant to require disclosure.)
• The podiatrist provides free inserts to an uninsured patient. (This describes a situation where, all things considered, the podiatrist’s interests are aligned with the patient.)