Abstract
Purpose
Confusion exists around the nature and best practices for authors in biomedical fields
seeking to disclose conflicts of interest (COIs) and other information that can produce
bias. Guidelines often provide principles for action and to avoid granularity that
can limit their general usefulness. Journal editors must also interpret various guidelines
to produce and enhance their own disclosure and COI policies. We discussion COIs and
present heuristics that can enhance disclosure practices by individual authors and
inform policy and practice among medical journal editors.
Methods
The authors reviewed the biomedical literature and drew on professional and academic
experience to develop examples and a suggested matrix for decision making.
Findings
Most COI commentary centers on financial relationships. Disagreement still exists
about the nature and impact of various forms of COI, making critical reasoning essential
when making and interpreting disclosures. Journal editors, authors, critics, and other
experts express varying opinions about best practices regarding COIs. Policy decisions
should be balanced and reasonable. Narrative context may help readers understand the
meaning and relevance of disclosures and COIs.
Implications
A balance of personal responsibility and critical thinking can enhance disclosure
practices as well as confidence in the medical literature. Using a heuristic to think
through possible areas of conflict can help authors provide more complete disclosure
information. Providing narrative context can ease the burden of peer reviewers, editors,
and readers trying to understand disclosures.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 13, 2019
Accepted:
July 29,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
