Conflict of Interest in Health Care

Conflicts of Interest in Health Care

Conflicts of Interest in Health Care

Every company wants to protect their own investments, this is a practice that has self-preservation at its core, and unfortunately self-preservation is a practice that can often cause conflicts of interest. This happens “when physicians have motives or are in situations for which reasonable observers could conclude that the moral requirements of the physician’s roles are or will be compromised. In terms of industry influences, financial conflicts of interest occur when physicians are tempted to deviate or do deviate from their professional obligations for economic or other personal gain” (Harrington & Estes, 2008 p.272). Stakeholders that are involved include patients, physicians, and even insurance providers. Some parts of health care may seem like the norm or harmless, given certain circumstances, can have a huge level of unethicality. For example, certain companies have appreciation programs or incentives to show appreciation for their employees. However, these rewards (when given excessively or habitually) may add up and greatly affect shareholders in the long run. This example of gifting is a practice that may more often than not, be construed as unethical and/or for personal gain. If personal gain is the main motive, then a conflict of interest is more likely to occur. Conflicts of interest occur within health care when providers’ self-interests, along with personal interests become interlocked which can interfere with professional judgments or actions. When one power makes a business decision based on an arrangement with another power to mutually benefit them both can create a conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest may occur in any organization, at any moment, which can result in bad decision making that can affect an organization negatively. A conflict of interest in health care, can influence a health care professional to alter his or...