Toward improvement of knowledge of financial conflicts of interest in a large medical school in France

Abstract

Introduction Conflict of interests (COIs) adversely affect the integrity of science and public health. The role of medical schools in the teaching and management of COIs has been highlighted by the publication of an annual evaluation of American medical schools based on their COIs policies by the American Medical Student Association (AMSA). A deontological charter was adopted by French medical schools in 2018 but its impact on COI comprehension by students and its effects on COI prevention were not evaluated. Methods A 10-item direct survey was conducted among about 1000 students in Paris-Cité University in order to investigate the respect of the charter regarding COIs both in the medical school and in affiliated teaching hospitals. Results Cumulative results show a satisfying respect of prevention policies regarding COIs in the medical school and hospitals despite the fact that the existence of the charter and its major aspects were insufficiently known. Disclosure of COIs by teachers was insufficient. Conclusion This first direct study among students shows better results than expected according to current non-academic surveys. Moreover, this study demonstrates the feasibility of this kind of survey whose repetition should be an appropriate tool to improve the implementation of the charter within medical schools and teaching hospitals, in particular mandatory disclosure of COIs by teachers.