Editor's Corner
Dr. Kirt E. Simmons
Ethical CE Sponsorship— “The AMA Dilemma”
Our physician brethren, the American Medical Association (AMA), had their equivalent to our AAO meeting in June. One of the things that came up before their House of Delegates was an interesting measure put forward by their Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs. In a nutshell, this Council called for a ban on industry support of continuing medical education (CME) programs for physicians, medical schools, teaching hospitals, and (medical) societies. Their House (apparently good politicians all!) referred it back to the same Council. Although they commended their Council “for their efforts,” the reference committee felt that “a broader discussion should take place before adopting ethics policy on industry support of medical education.” The actual report of the Council is very interesting and obviously involved much thought and effort. Their conclusions were that, due to “medicine’s autonomy and authority to regulate itself” [a la dentistry] “...depends on the ability of the profession to …protect the integrity of professional education” and the “existing mechanisms to manage potential conflicts and influences are not sufficient to address these concerns.”
I would hazard a guess that if our physician colleagues believe their “mechanisms” are not sufficient, they would feel those currently in place in dentistry are not “sufficient” either. I suggest we orthodontists, as has been our custom, provide leadership in this arena in the dental field and critically evaluate (and I would advocate the use of unbiased non-dental experts for this, at least as consultants) our own “existing mechanisms” in place to ensure the integrity of all our “professional education” (ie “approved” continuing education courses, undergraduate and graduate education, etc.).
Another interesting resolution from the AMA involved a study of free clinics to facilitate improved access to care for the uninsured; it would seem prudent for the AAO and ADA to team up with the AMA in this respect. After all, a combined front in this issue could be very valuable to the potential clinics, as well as to our respective health professions and their stature in the public eye.
Some other interesting issues arising at their meeting I felt were relevant to us in dentistry and orthodontics include the increase in “medical tourism” (patients travelling abroad for medical care), and publication of a “National Health Insurers Report Card” (to provide AMA members and the public with objective information on the “timeliness, transparency and accuracy of claims processing” by insurers).
I hope everyone has a great and safe Fall and I hope to see you in Cowtown!