Standards of Professionalism
OUR COMMITMENT TO STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONALISM:
Ø The benefit to the patient must be the primary goal and must not be compromised. Orthopaedic surgeons, like all physicians, have an
ethical obligation to present themselves and the services they provide to patients in a clear and accurate manner.
Ø The primary focus of the orthopaedic profession is care of the patient. As part of their lifetime commitment to patients, orthopaedic surgeons must maintain specialized knowledge and skills through participation in continuing medical education programs, seminars, and professional meetings. Often, these professional functions are sponsored by the community of medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies, and other businesses who play an important role supporting continuing medical education (CME) events and the development of new technologies that contribute to the on-going patient-physician relationship. This collaborative effort ensures that patients have the best surgical outcomes through the invention and testing of new technology, research and evaluation of existing technology, and continued education of orthopaedic surgeons.
Ø Cooperative relationships between orthopaedic surgeons and industry benefit patients. Orthopaedic surgeons are best qualified to provide innovative ideas and feedback, conduct research trials, serve on scientific advisory boards, and serve as faculty to teach the use of new
technology. Orthopaedic surgeons, in an effort to improve patient care, rely on industry to bring their creative ideas to fruition. A collaborative relationship between orthopaedic surgeons and industry is necessary to improve patient care, but must be carefully scrutinized to avoid pitfalls of improper inducements, whether real or perceived.
Ø Orthopaedic surgeons must be mindful of potential conflicts of interest with patient care in pursuing academic and commercial ventures. A conflict of interest exists when professional judgment concerning the well being of the patient has a reasonable chance of being influenced by other interests of the physician.
Ø Disclosure of a conflict of interest is required in communications to patients, the public and colleagues. The benefit to the patient must be the primary goal and must not be compromised. Orthopaedic surgeons, like all physicians, have an ethical obligation to present themselves and the services they provide to patients in a clear and accurate manner.
Ø OUR DISCLOSURES:
1. Drs. Warner and Higgins have been co-designers of the Anatomical Shoulder System. This technology was developed in conjunction with the Sultzer/Centerpulse Company in the late 1990’s and subsequently purchased by the Zimmer Company. Our primary goal in collaborating in the development of this technology was to benefit patients who require joint replacement for degenerative and traumatic conditions of the shoulder. For this technology we receive royalty payments. However, such financial payments exclude our own patients and those of our colleagues at both of our institutions.
2. The Harvard Shoulder Fellowship Receives financial support from Industry sources. These include the following companies:
Ø Smith and Nephew Endoscopy
Ø Mitek, Johnson and Johnson
Ø Arthrex Company
Ø Donjoy Orthopaedics Company
Ø Breg Company
Such support is essential in order to permit us to continue training the next generation of leaders in management of shoulder problems. We receive no support from The MGH, the BWH or Harvard. All such funds are managed in the Carter Rowe Shoulder Fellowship Fund and oversight is maintained by the Partners Education Committee. Such funds support all material costs of the Shoulder Fellowship and it’s academic mission. For further information please see our Fellowship Description on the heading menu of our webpage, www.bosshin.com