Balancing conflicts of interest during cardiology training: why does industry buy your lunch?

Pharmaceutical and device manufacturers—often referred to as ‘Industry’—play an important role in bringing new therapies into clinical practice. Once marketed, Industry frequently cultivates relationships with physicians they believe will influence practice nationally and internationally, followed by nurturing relationships at local and regional levels. Doctors often receive financial reward for their time and expertise (eg, giving sponsored talks). There is, however, growing awareness of the impact that such ties to Industry—referred to as conflicts of interest (CoIs)—can have on decision-making and a movement to mitigate such CoIs. Accordingly, what sort of relationships should junior cardiologists have and not have with Industry? From a trainee perspective, there are advantages to such relationships. Industry frequently provides free education on their products, thus helping junior cardiologists stay abreast of latest developments. In addition, Industry often funds attendance at large meetings. The costs of registration, international travel and accommodation are often prohibitive; sponsored places offer junior cardiologists opportunities to share their research and expand career opportunities through networking. Finally, for many trainees that …