Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest Purpose

The American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO) supports fair and unbiased participation of our volunteers in ASPO activities. Any real or potential conflicts of interest must be identified and managed. All relevant financial relationships with commercial interests that directly impact and/or might conflict with ASPO activities must be disclosed, or disclosure that you have no relevant financial relationships must be documented. Other relationships that could cause private interests to conflict with professional interests must also be disclosed.

Relationships

1. Significant Financial Relationship: Significant financial relationships are defined as anything of monetary value (within the past 12 months) including, but not limited to:

  • Salary or other payments for services (employment, Speaker’s Bureau, Advisory Panel, Expert Witness, etc.)
  • Consulting fees or honoraria
  • Equity interests including stocks, stock options, or ownership interests (excluding diversified mutual funds)
  • Intellectual property rights including patents, copyrights, royalties from such rights
  • Research funding
  • Or other financial benefit

[Note: Significant financial relationships extend to financial relationships of your family and/or business partner(s).]

2. Other Relationships: Other relationships that could cause private interests to conflict with professional interests.

Intended Audience

ASPO Committee Membership/Elected Leadership:

  • All members of ASPO committees, as well as all elected, appointed, or standing guest members of the ASPO Board of Directors must complete and sign a disclosure/conflict of interest form in relation to the charge or any activities of the committee to which they are appointed.

ASPO Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (White Journal):

  • Journal Editorial Board members/reviewers/authors must complete and sign a disclosure/conflict of interest form in relation to the development of the Journal.

ASPO Independence in Continuing Medical Education (CME) Activities:

  • Any individual who may be in a position to control CME content must disclose all relevant financial relationships or disclose that he/she has no relevant financial relationships

Definition

“Conflict of interest” is defined as any real or potential situation that has competing professional or personal interests that would make it difficult to be unbiased. A conflict of interest may occur when: (1) an individual’s private interest differs from his/her professional obligations, or (2) professional actions or decisions occur that an independent observer might reasonably question. A conflict of interest depends on the situation and not on the character of the individual.

“Commercial interest” is any proprietary entity producing healthcare goods or services consumed by, or used on patients.