[Frequency and type of gifts given by pharmaceutical industry to cardiology residents]

Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world and cardiologists are an important target for the pharmaceutical industry. We evaluated cardiology residents' exposure to pharmaceutical companies.

Methods: A survey was sent by e-mail in July 2009 to all residents of the Cardiology and Vascular Diseases program endorsed by the French Society of Cardiology.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 149 (56%) residents. Among them, 145 (97%) had at least one promotional item in their white coat. Non-educational gifts (such as pens and notepads) and scientific papers reprints are the most frequently received gifts. Pharmaceutical companies have invited 117 (79%) residents to a local or national congress and 42 (29%) to an international congress. Most residents consider gifts as ethically appropriate, particularly scientific textbooks, invitations to congresses and educational seminars. Among the 128 residents who assessed the value of a gift likely to compromise a physician's judgment, 36 (28%) answered < 100 euro, 51 (40%) between 101 and 1000 euro and 41 (32%) >1000 euro.

Conclusions: Cardiology residents in France frequently interact with the pharmaceutical industry, receiving not only small gifts but also support to their medical education. Interactions with industry are generally considered appropriate and training on their ethical implications and influence on prescribing could be implemented during residency.