Question 1

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-While 80% of clinical research was based in academic medical centers in 1991, by 1998 this figure had dropped to

Accepted Answer

By 1998, the percentage of clinical research based in academic medical centers had dropped to 40%.

Question 2

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-With the shift of clinical research outside of academic centers, thousands of private physicians have become ___________ while their patients have become patient-subjects.

Accepted Answer

The shift in clinical research has led private physicians to become "physician-investigators" as they recruit patients directly for pharmaceutical company-based trials.

Question 3

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-Potential conflicts arise when clinical research coincides with patient care, because

Accepted Answer

Conflicts arise because the physician has obligations to both patient care and research, and direct payment from pharmaceutical companies can influence their decisions.

Question 4

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-By recruiting subjects directly through private physicians, pharmaceutical companies

Accepted Answer

The answer of Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman...

Question 5

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-The purpose of a clinical trial is to

Accepted Answer

The purpose of a clinical trial is to establish both that a drug works (efficacy) and that it is safe for use.

Question 6

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-The job of a for-profit site-management organization (SMO) is to ___________ for the pharmaceutical company

Accepted Answer

Site-management organizations (SMOs) provide networks of privately practicing physicians to pharmaceutical companies to facilitate the recruitment of patient-subjects for clinical trials.

Question 7

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-The job of a contract-research organization (CRO) is to ___________ for the pharmaceutical company.

Accepted Answer

Contract-research organizations (CROs) are primarily responsible for collecting data from clinical investigators on behalf of pharmaceutical companies.

Question 8

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-Conflicts of interest can occur when physicians are committed to their patients' well-being as well as to

Accepted Answer

Conflicts of interest arise when physicians have dual commitments to their patients' well-being and to the goals of research studies, which may not always align.

Question 9

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-___________ can and do influence supposedly unbiased investigators and therefore the quality of research findings.

Accepted Answer

Financial incentives can influence supposedly unbiased investigators and therefore the quality of research findings.

Question 10

Jason E. Klein and Alan R. Fleischman | The Private Practicing Physician-Investigator: Ethical Implications of Clinical Research in the Office Setting
Klein and Fleischman discuss the conflicts of interest in contemporary medical research due to the shift in recent decades from clinical trials based in academic centers to pharmaceutical company-based recruitment of "patient-subjects" directly through private practicing "physician-investigators." They conclude with a number of recommendations to reduce or eliminate these conflicts.
-There is greater potential for private practicing physicians to ___________ when the research is taking place in a closed office environment.

Accepted Answer

In a closed office environment, there is a greater potential for private practicing physicians to alter or fabricate data due to less oversight and more direct influence from pharmaceutical companies.

Question 11

The authors weigh the benefits of private practice-based medical research against its potential for conflicts of interest. Which do you think outweighs the other, and why? Describe the pros and cons in detail.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The authors weigh the benefits of private...

Question 12

The authors conclude the essay with recommendations for eliminating or avoiding conflicts of interest in private practice-based medical research. Do you think these recommendations suffice to control and regulate this type of clinical trial? Why or why not? Would you add, delete, or modify their list of recommendations?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The authors conclude the essay with recommendations...

Question 13

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-According to Sanders, the notion of conflict of interest in journalism arises only when journalists are expected to

Accepted Answer

The notion of conflict of interest in journalism arises when journalists are expected to tell the truth, as this expectation creates a standard against which conflicts of interest can be measured.

Question 14

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-Morally questionable intentions and motives of journalists are generally due to the fact that they are

Accepted Answer

The answer of Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores...

Question 15

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-Journalists' codes of conduct prohibit any activity that establishes or ___________ an interest that undermines the reporter's credibility.

Accepted Answer

The correct choice is "is perceived to have established" because journalistic codes of conduct aim to prevent any activity that could be seen as compromising a reporter's credibility, even if the interest is only perceived and not actually established.

Question 16

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-The trend today is ___________ the bribes, junkets, and freebies that formerly would influence a journalist's objectivity.

Accepted Answer

The trend today is away from the bribes, junkets, and freebies, as journalistic codes now emphasize transparency and objectivity.

Question 17

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-Journalists may NOT use knowledge of financial information

Accepted Answer

Journalists are prohibited from using financial information for their own profit or passing it to others, as it would constitute a conflict of interest and violate ethical standards.

Question 18

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-It is generally no longer possible to rely on the reports of a journalist who has been found to be

Accepted Answer

A journalist found to be untrustworthy cannot be relied upon, as trust is fundamental to journalistic integrity and credibility.

Question 19

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-Advertising can be a source of conflict of interest by

Accepted Answer

Advertising can create conflicts of interest by exerting both external pressure to influence editorial content and internal pressure from marketing and public relations to direct journalistic content.

Question 20

Karen Sanders | Ethics and Journalism
Sanders explores the issue of conflicts of interest in journalism, noting first that the idea was not even applicable to the field until journalists were expected to tell the truth rather than print (or not print) as a result of bribery (or extortion). Journalistic codes today forbid this formerly common practice, declaring as an ideal transparency to the public.
-Traditionally, American newspapers have tried to maintain a wall of separation between

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, American newspapers have tried to maintain a wall of separation between editors and business departments to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure editorial independence.

Quiz 8: Conflicts of Interest and Government Regulation

The authors weigh the benefits of private practice-based medical research against its potential for conflicts of interest. Which do you think outweighs the other, and why? Describe the pros and cons in detail.