Discussion 8.1: Case 79 Conflict of Interest | HA4521D-Healthcare Management Capstone | National American University
The conflict of interest in this scenario was caused by the doctor’s personal relationship with a pharmaceutical company that manufactures medication for treating depression. As such, the doctor’s decision to prescribe drugs from this particular company could be seen as a biased judgement due to their vested interests. This is a serious ethical problem that must be addressed in order not to exploit or harm patients seeking care.
Better communication among all involved could have prevented this conflict. It is important that all healthcare professionals disclose any business relationships with other companies in order to provide transparent treatment recommendations. In order to not limit the options available due to personal biases and allegiances, physicians should look at alternative medications and treatments when making their decisions. These steps can be taken to prevent conflicts of interests and ensure that patients’ safety is maintained at all costs.