| 13. Dr. Jones’ long-time friend and golfing buddy is a neurologist, Dr. Smith. Dr. Jones always refers his patients to Dr. Smith for any neurological evaluation or treatment. |
| # | Response Date | Comment |
| 1. | Tue, 3/13/07 10:56 PM | Is Dr. Smith on of the best neurologists in town? If so, then probably ok if ok with the patients. |
| 2. | Tue, 3/13/07 11:00 PM | On what other neurological consult options exist in the community and whether Dr. Jones believes that Dr. Smith is the best physician to treat each case |
| 3. | Tue, 3/13/07 11:24 PM | Whether or not patients ask to be referred elsewhere, and whether he honors their wishes or not |
| 4. | Tue, 3/13/07 11:33 PM | If he and the patients are satisfied, then I see no problem; however when his buddy is not available what does he do - why would other neurologists want to see his patients, then. |
| 5. | Wed, 3/14/07 12:23 AM | No COI if Dr. Smith is qualified to provide care for all such referrals. |
| 6. | Wed, 3/14/07 12:32 AM | COI if Dr. Jones receives material benefit from the referrals |
| 7. | Wed, 3/14/07 1:40 AM | Could be he's the best in town, or something. Not enough info to decide. |
| 8. | Wed, 3/14/07 2:17 AM | depends on whether the referral are based on Dr. Smith's competence in neurology or friendship/personal relationship only |
| 9. | Wed, 3/14/07 2:57 AM | If he is any good at neurology. |
| 10. | Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 PM | It depends on why Dr. Smith is referring patients - if it is from friendship only, then that is an unprofessional conflict; if it is based on his professional opinion, then there is no conflict. |
| 11. | Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 PM | on if Dr. Smith is any good and if patients are given any other options |
| 12. | Wed, 3/14/07 1:53 PM | If he makes the referrals because Dr. Smith is very good, then no COI. But if he makes the referrals because Dr. S is his friend, then serious COI |
| 13. | Wed, 3/14/07 1:56 PM | Are there any other neurologists in the area? Is Dr. Smith a good neurologist? Is he better at some things than others?
If he's the best in town or the only one in town then OK |
| 14. | Wed, 3/14/07 2:27 PM | Potential for conflict if this is the only person to whom referrals are made particularly if this friend makes referrals back...and yet if referrals are being made to this individual as one of several and with patients needs in mind, less potential for harm. |
| 15. | Wed, 3/14/07 2:39 PM | No conflict of interests, if Dr. Smith is best qualified to provide the professional service. |
| 16. | Wed, 3/14/07 2:56 PM | No COI if Dr Jones feels Dr Smith is the best in his field. There is a COI if he is referring patients only to increase Dr Smith's revinue despite the availability of more suitable referral MD's |
| 17. | Wed, 3/14/07 5:23 PM | if Dr. Smith is the best, no conflict |
| 18. | Wed, 3/14/07 10:10 PM | Do other referring physicians also like and trust Dr. Smith ? Would Dr. Jones send his loved ones there? Does he offer patients other options or ask first if they have preferences? |
| 19. | Wed, 3/14/07 10:22 PM | If Dr. Smith is the best neurologist in the area, then it is acceptable. The referall should not be based on their friendship. |
| 20. | Thu, 3/15/07 1:32 PM | These questions are silly. Again, if the "golfing buddy" is also the best neurologist around, there's no COI. |
| 21. | Thu, 3/15/07 8:19 PM | If Dr. Smith is the only neurologist in the area, it is ok; otherwise, is a very serious COI. |
| 22. | Fri, 3/16/07 11:29 AM | on if Dr Smith is the best choice, can't we be friends with the best in our profession! |
| 23. | Fri, 3/16/07 2:39 PM | If that is the only neurologist in town that is fine. |
| 24. | Sat, 3/17/07 4:23 PM | It depends on the quality of care Dr. Smith provides in relation to the other available neurologists |
| 25. | Mon, 3/19/07 12:13 AM | If Dr Smith is a competent neurologist - No conflict |
| 26. | Mon, 3/19/07 5:30 PM | Buddyship has influenced medical behavior. |
| 27. | Mon, 3/19/07 9:11 PM | depends on availability of other neurologists, ability of patients to opt out to another clinician |
| 28. | Tue, 3/20/07 5:02 AM | if Dr smith is qualified and capable of managing the patients refered to him, there is no problem. Dr Jones need to make his patient realize other options apart from Dr Smith. |
| 29. | Wed, 3/21/07 8:32 PM | cannot expect rotation of consultatnts to avoid appearnace of coi. |
| 30. | Sat, 3/31/07 3:26 AM | Depends if he refers his patients because Mr. Smith is a friend, or if he is a good neurologist |
| 31. | Mon, 4/23/07 1:13 PM | If Dr. Smith is a superb neurologist and well known in the medical community for his expertise, then no COI. If he does it purely because he's a friend, I would give it a moderate COI. |
| 32. | Mon, 4/23/07 1:29 PM | This is a potential COI but if Dr. Jones is arguably the most reliable neurologist than there is no COI. |
| 33. | Mon, 4/23/07 3:41 PM | It would be OK if Dr. Smith is the only neurologist in the area, or the best at what he does. |
| 34. | Mon, 4/23/07 10:54 PM | Depends on if he refers because Dr Smith is the best nerologist or because he is a good friend. |
| 35. | Tue, 4/24/07 1:52 PM | As long as it doesn't place undue burden on the patient (i.e. insurance coverage). |
| 36. | Tue, 4/24/07 7:03 PM | Depends if he is considered one of the best neurologist or not. If she or he is one of the best, why would you not refer your patients to the best. Otherwise, one would always have to make friends with nonphysicians. In contrast, if the friend is not the best choice, any referals made as a consequence of friendship and not qualifications is a serious COI. |
| 37. | Tue, 4/24/07 9:49 PM | Having a personal relationship with Dr Smith does not necesarily mean that Dr Smith is not the most well-qualified to meet the needs Dr Jones' patients. In fact, knowing other physicians personally can lead to improved physician-physician communications which is in the best interest of the patient. |
| 38. | Wed, 4/25/07 7:20 PM | Are there other Neurologists in town? is Dr. Smith a competent specialist. |
| 39. | Thu, 4/26/07 11:43 AM | If Dr. Smith is the best expert in the area, moder degree of COI. |
| 40. | Thu, 4/26/07 9:22 PM | No COI if Dr Smith is a competent neurologist and Dr Jones always gives his patients the choice of seeing other neurologists. |
| 41. | Fri, 4/27/07 11:59 AM | Assuming competence of specialist is known, Dr. Jones can refer to whom ever s/he feels is best. |
| 42. | Fri, 4/27/07 5:38 PM | Depends on the resourses available. This may be the only neurologist. If not, then there is probably a small COI in that no alternative physcian is considered. |
| 43. | Mon, 4/30/07 2:13 AM | on the skills of Dr. Smith. If he is considered most skillful, no COI. |
| 44. | Tue, 5/1/07 12:28 AM | If the two doctors are the best avalible then there is no COI. If they are not the best then their patients may not be getting the best health care. |
| 45. | Tue, 5/1/07 5:44 PM | Very dependant on the quality of practice of the neurologist |
| 46. | Tue, 5/8/07 3:29 PM | .... |
| 47. | Tue, 5/8/07 7:06 PM | if his friend is the best neurologist than no not a conflict. |
| 48. | Wed, 5/9/07 1:02 PM | Could be serious unless Dr. Smith is a very good neurologist. |
| 49. | Mon, 5/14/07 1:20 AM | If Dr. smith always pays the greens fees - yes. If Dr. Smith has quality problems - yes. |