Background:
Physician interaction with the pharmaceutical industry begins early in medical education. Several studies demonstrate that exposure to the pharmaceutical industry occurs throughout the medical training process, from the first years of medical school on through residency. Practicing physicians’ interactions with pharmaceutical industry representatives have been shown to have effects on physician prescribing behavior and requests to hospital drug formularies. Starting as early as medical school, exposure to drug promotional items shifts student attitudes in favor of promoted drugs. Efforts aimed at addressing conflict‐of‐interest issues are currently directed toward trainees in medical school and residency. However, opportunities for pharmaceutical industry interaction exist even before students enter into medical school.
Methods:
An anonymous survey was distributed to all incoming first‐years at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine between 2007 and 2010. Questions were asked about observations of, participation in, and opinions toward the following professional behaviors: “Attending a ‘drug rep’ (pharma‐sponsored) dinner or social event” and “Accepting a pen from a pharmaceutical representative.”
Results:
Of respondents (n = 279) in the incoming classes of 2007–2010, 41.0% of students reported that, as premedical students, they participated in the acceptance of a pen from a pharmaceutical representative. As well, 59.4% of students reported that they observed the acceptance of a pen from a pharmaceutical representative by others. Also, 2.3% of students found this behavior to be unprofessional, 9.0% found it to be somewhat unprofessional, 65.8% found it to be neutral, 10.9% found it to be somewhat professional, whereas 12.0% found it to be a professional behavior. In addition, 21.7% of students also reported that, as premedical students, they participated in attending a dinner or social event sponsored by a pharmaceutical representative. 33.3% of students similarly reported having observed the attendance at a dinner or social event by others. In regard to this behavior, 7.6% of students found it to be unprofessional, 21.7% found it to be somewhat unprofessional, 50.2% found it to be neutral, 12.6% found it to be somewhat professional, and 8.0% found it to be a professional behavior.
Conclusions:
The exposure of premedical students to the pharmaceutical industry demonstrates a continued need for intervention in medical school curricula. Our data indicate that these interactions start at an earlier stage of training than previously documented. Efforts to address physician interactions with the pharmaceutical industry need to start at an earlier stage of medical training in order to account for premedical student exposure to this industry. The impact of conflict of interest policy changes at many academic medical centers also needs to be investigated, as tighter restrictions may lead to fewer opportunities for premedical students to interact with the pharmaceutical industry over time.
Disclosures:
L. Hodges ‐ none; H. Humphrey ‐ none; V. Arora ‐ none; S. Reddy ‐ none