Survey Finds Doctor Links With Industry

Harvard University researchers say nearly all respondents in a paid survey of U.S. doctors reported some relationship with medical-related companies.

The researchers said nearly half of the 3,167 practicing anesthesiologists, cardiologists, family practitioners, general surgeons, internists and pediatricians who received mailed surveys and $20 checks in late 2003 and early 2004 responded, USA Today reported Thursday.

The researchers said more than a quarter of respondents received payments from medical industry companies.

That to me is a pretty high percentage, said lead author Eric Campbell, assistant professor of health policy at Harvard Medical School.

The survey found that cardiologists were more than two times as likely to receive payments as family practitioners, the newspaper said.

Family practitioners also reported meeting an average of 16 times a month with industry representatives. Campbell told USA Today that statistic was less surprising since they’re treating an incredibly wide spectrum of diseases.