January 27, 2009, New York, NY - A study by healthcare market research
firm Manhattan Research found that only 9% of U.S. physicians oppose
commercial support for continuing medical education (CME) funding. The
results of this study are relevant to the ongoing discussion in the
medical community about the role of commercial funding of CME.
In an effort to better understand the positions of those who actually
use continuing medical education, Manhattan Research surveyed
physicians on their opinions with regard to their use and the
potential bias of industry-funded programs. The Manhattan Research
study reports that only 8% of physicians who participated in CME
believe that it is biased. In fact, if commercial support is halted,
nearly half of the physicians surveyed would decrease their use of
CME.
According to the study, almost all physicians utilize CME programs to
maintain and grow their medical knowledge and to keep up-to-date on
the latest advances in their specialty with the ultimate goal of
improving patient care. Pharmaceutical companies are a funding source
for CME programs, which has prompted some critics to question their
influence over CME course content. In response, the Accreditation
Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the organization
that accredits CME Providers, has augmented its standards and
guidelines to ensure the independence of commercially supported CME
activities. The American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and
Judicial Affairs (CEJA) is also expected to issue a new report on
commercially-supported CME later this year.
"While there's been debate around the value of industry-supported CME,
as our study reveals, it's important to listen to the voice of the
majority of physicians," said Mark Bard, Manhattan Research President.
"Rather than pulling the plug on a vital source of CME funding, the
primary beneficiaries of CME - physicians and patients - would be best
served by continued improvements to course availability, offerings,
and content through increased collaboration among medical and academic
organizations, the pharmaceutical industry, CME providers, and
accreditation bodies."
About the Study
Healthcare market research firm Manhattan Research conducted a survey
to gauge physician opinion on commercially-funded CME and the proposed
ban. The online study was fielded in the third quarter of 2008 among a
nationally representative sample of U.S. physicians, including primary
care and specialist audiences.
About Manhattan Research
Manhattan Research, a Decision Resources, Inc. company, is a leading
market research and advisory services firm for global pharmaceutical
and healthcare companies. For more information, visit
www.manhattanresearch.com or call 1.888.680.0800.
About Decision Resources, Inc.
Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that
offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important
sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and
data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc.
at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.
###
All company, brand, or product names contained in this document may be
trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.