Unsolicited Patient Complaints and Industry Payments for US Physicians

Do physicians with more unsolicited patient complaints also have a greater likelihood of accepting general (nonresearch) payments from industry?In a cross-sectional study of 71 944 physicians, higher Patient Advocacy Reporting System Index scores, reflecting a greater number and severity of unsolicited patient complaints, were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of accepting general payments, particularly in higher amounts.This cross-sectional study found a significant association between unsolicited patient complaints and potential financial conflicts of interest, emphasizing the need for robust conflicts review and management to safeguard patient trust and support physician professionalism.

Corresponding Author: Misop Han, MD, MS, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N Wolfe St, Marburg 146, Baltimore, MD 21287-2101 (mhan1@jhmi.edu).

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