Corporate Relations?

Abstract

To the Editor:With reference to the excellent article by Weinberg (Chest 1984; 86:463–65), I have recently become aware of a development in the practice of pulmonary medicine which I find quite disturbing; ie, physician ownership of companies which are in the business of supplying oxygen delivery systems and respiratory therapy equipment to patients. Certainly this type of business venture on the part of pulmonary physicians is a direct violation of the principle promulgated by Relman (N Engl J Med 1980; 303:963–70) that “practicing physicians should derive no financial benefit from the health-care market except from their own professional services.” Pecuniary associations with oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment supply firms by pulmonary physicians can only serve to erode public confidence and trust in our profession.As fellows in pulmonary medicine, we used to refer to this form of profiteering as “BRONKAMERICARDism.” I would urge the American College of Chest Physicians to evaluate the ethics and consequences of this type of physician activity and to establish and publish its findings as guidelines for the practicing pulmonary physician. To the Editor: With reference to the excellent article by Weinberg (Chest 1984; 86:463–65), I have recently become aware of a development in the practice of pulmonary medicine which I find quite disturbing; ie, physician ownership of companies which are in the business of supplying oxygen delivery systems and respiratory therapy equipment to patients. Certainly this type of business venture on the part of pulmonary physicians is a direct violation of the principle promulgated by Relman (N Engl J Med 1980; 303:963–70) that “practicing physicians should derive no financial benefit from the health-care market except from their own professional services.” Pecuniary associations with oxygen and respiratory therapy equipment supply firms by pulmonary physicians can only serve to erode public confidence and trust in our profession. As fellows in pulmonary medicine, we used to refer to this form of profiteering as “BRONKAMERICARDism.” I would urge the American College of Chest Physicians to evaluate the ethics and consequences of this type of physician activity and to establish and publish its findings as guidelines for the practicing pulmonary physician.