Dermatological Textbooks Conflict of Interests

[Guide]

An article about any conflict of interest (COI) with the authors of dermatological textbooks is an interesting read, highlighting the need for more transparency acknowledging the funding of the authors. [1]

Note this paragraph: 

"In recent years, dermatologists’ relationship with industry has increased immensely. The global pharmaceutical market in dermatology is projected to exceed $34 billion per year by 2023 (Prescient & Strategic Intelligence, 2018). The relationship with industry is a complicated subject. Support from industry has been important for the advancement of dermatology and has provided funding support for a range of activities, including clinical trials, educational materials, and travel support for residents and fellows. These funds are integral for the growth and maintenance of the specialty. For example, exhibit revenue from technical exhibits at large meetings helps support registration and educational costs for attendees and provides funding for other non-income-producing activities. The pervasiveness of industry is incontrovertible and spans a gamut ranging from continuing medical education programs to educational grants to advertisements in journals (Sams and Freedberg, 2000)."

Here are some highlights of the study: 

(1) The study was limited to eight textbooks and states about these that all eight "are listed on the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) website as board preparation resources recommended by members of the AAD Resident and Fellows committee under the category of general dermatology textbooks." 

"The most recent editions of eight commonly used books were selected and are listed as follows: Dermatology (4th edition, 2017), Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (12th edition, 2015), Dermatology Secrets Plus (5th edition, 2015), Genodermatoses: A Clinical Guide to Genetic Skin Disorders (2nd edition, 2004), Comprehensive Dermatologic Drug Therapy (3rd edition, 2012), Hurwitz Clinical Pediatric Dermatology: A Textbook of Skin Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence (5th edition, 2015), Dermatology: Illustrated Study Guide and Comprehensive Board Review (2nd edition, 2017), and Clinical Dermatology: A Manual of Differential Diagnosis (3rd edition, 2003)."

(2) "The total compensation for 381 authors in 2016 was $5,892,221....The top 10% of dermatologists who collected payments received $5,267,494, which represented 89% of the total payment amount.....The payment distribution was skewed with a minority of dermatologists receiving the majority of payments."

(3) "Given the financial incentives of pharmaceutical companies, the pharmaceutical industry has a particular interest in targeting young physicians in training as they foster their own disease treatment and prescribing patterns."

(4) "This study helps to further characterize the relationship between authors of general dermatology textbooks and industry. Continued discussion to foster transparency among physicians, regulators, and the public with regard to various topics, such as policies, physician behaviors, and the potential for CoI in educational resources, is important."

The paper acknowledges the limitations such as only USA physicians were included and other limitations. But you do get an idea of why transparency should be acknowledged in the textbooks that dermatologists are using so that as the authors of the study put it, "Whether industry payments to authors affect the quality of information in dermatology textbooks for better or for worse remains uncertain" so that "readers can draw their own conclusions."

End Notes

[1] International Journal of Women's Dermatology
Conflicts of interest among dermatology textbook authors 
Jorge Roman, MD, David J. Elpern, MD, and John G. Zampella, MD

Etcetera

Related to skin industry funding of textbook authors are the following two posts: 
Rosacea Research in Perspective of Funding
Rosacea Research in Perspective of Idiopathic Diseases
Skin Industry & Rosacea Research & Social Media