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Exploring Perceptions of Early-Career Psychiatrists About Their Relationships With the Pharmaceutical Industry

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Abstract

Objectives

The pharmaceutical industry has engaged physicians through medical education, patient care, and medical research. New conflict of interest policy has highlighted the challenges to these relationships. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions that early career psychiatrists (e.g. those within 5 years of entering practice) have regarding their relationship with the pharmaceutical industry.

Methods

Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analysed using a grounded theory methodology. Interviews were conducted and analyzed in an iterative way using a constant comparison approach in which data were collected and open coded for themes and subthemes. As new interviews were conducted, the themes were applied to data along with emergent themes and previous interviews recoded until additional interviews failed to provide new themes and thematic saturation was achieved. Through axial coding, a process of relating codes (categories and concepts) to each other, the theory was generated to explain the core variable mediating perceptions participants had about the relationship with industry.

Results

The participants described increasing frequency of experiences with industry throughout training into practice. Their perceptions developed through training, physician culture, industry promotion, and their own practices. In managing the relationship with industry, participants would either avoid interactions or engage in behaviors aimed to reduce the risk of influence. Maintaining one’s professional integrity was the underlying driver used to manage the relationship with industry.

Conclusions

Psychiatrists develop perceptions about industry through experience and observation leading them to develop their own strategies to manage these relationships while maintaining their professional integrity.

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Disclosure

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Thomas Johann Stark, Alvin Keith Brownell, Nancy Patricia Brager, Amanda Berg, Rhea Balderston & Jocelyn Margot Lockyer

Authors
  1. Thomas Johann Stark
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  2. Alvin Keith Brownell
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  3. Nancy Patricia Brager
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  4. Amanda Berg
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  5. Rhea Balderston
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  6. Jocelyn Margot Lockyer
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas Johann Stark.

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Interview Guide: Exploring Perceptions of Early-Career Psychiatrists About Their Relationships With the Pharmaceutical Industry (DOCX 13 kb)

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Stark, T.J., Brownell, A.K., Brager, N.P. et al. Exploring Perceptions of Early-Career Psychiatrists About Their Relationships With the Pharmaceutical Industry. Acad Psychiatry 40, 249–254 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0403-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40596-015-0403-0

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