To the Editor:
Re “Study Finds Conflicts Among Panels’ Doctors” (Business Day, March 29):
The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is concerned about financial conflicts of interest and clinical practice guidelines. The academy takes this issue so seriously that we chose to carry out strict standards long before the Institute of Medicine issued theirs, and we continue to exceed their standards.
The institute recommends that less than half of those working on guidelines have conflicts. We do not allow anyone, or anyone with a conflicted immediate family member, to participate if he has current conflicts or conflicts any time during the year before work on a guideline begins.
Collaboration in medicine is important and drives scientific innovation, which leads to better patient care. But for clinical practice guidelines, the academy believes there must be a consistent distinction. We have a responsibility to produce trustworthy guidelines for patients and physicians, and take pride in our processes, which use evidence-based medicine and conflict-free work groups.
DANIEL J. BERRY
President, American Academy
of Orthopaedic Surgeons
Rosemont, Ill., March 31, 2011