Trustworthy Patient Decision Aids: a Qualitative Analysis Addressing the Risk of Competing Interests
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-1-2016
Publication Title
BMJ Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Our aim in this study was to examine the competing interest policies and procedures of organisations who develop and maintain patient decision aids.
DESIGN:
Descriptive and thematic analysis of data collected from a cross-sectional survey of patient decision aid developer's competing interest policies and disclosure forms.
RESULTS:
We contacted 25 organisations likely to meet the inclusion criteria. 12 eligible organisations provided data. 11 organisations did not reply and 2 declined to participate. Most patient decision aid developers recognise the need to consider the issue of competing interests. Assessment processes vary widely and, for the most part, are insufficiently robust to minimise the risk of competing interests. Only half of the 12 organisations had competing interest policies. Some considered disclosure to be sufficient, while others imposed differing levels of exclusion.
CONCLUSIONS:
Patient decision aid developers do not have a consistent approach to managing competing interests. Some have developed policies and procedures, while others pay no attention to the issue. As is the case for clinical practice guidelines, increasing attention will need to be given to how the competing interests of contributors of evidence-based publications may influence materials, especially if they are designed for patient use.
DOI
10.1136/bmjopen-2016-012562
Dartmouth Digital Commons Citation
Elwyn, Glyn; Dannenberg, Michelle; Blaine, Arianna; Poddar, Urbashi; and Durand, Marie-Anne, "Trustworthy Patient Decision Aids: a Qualitative Analysis Addressing the Risk of Competing Interests" (2016). Dartmouth Scholarship. 2791.
https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/facoa/2791
