Conflict of Interest

Conflict of Interest

How DSI defines conflict of interest?
We have a section in our website that goes over how IC is delivered at: this link.
It is important to develop, maintain and revise conflict of interest polices and have an oversight mechanism in place to continuously monitor the relationships among the PI, site staff, IRB and the CRO’s and sponsors representatives in order to retain the support and respect of the public who may become future research subject volunteers. We at DSI recognize that without this support and respect, trust in new medical discoveries and their applications will not be forthcoming and future research will be doomed.
DSI defines conflict of interest as any financial or other interest which conflicts or potentially appears to conflict with the best interests of the research subject volunteer. This would include creating a situation that could impair the individual’s objectivity or create an unfair competitive advantage. We recognize that the mere appearance of a conflict of interest can be just as damaging as the existence of a real conflict. An apparent conflict of interest arises when a reasonable person, with knowledge of the relevant facts, would question the impartiality of the individual in the matter being considered.
DSI does several things to diminish real and/or apparent conflicts of interest, including:

All studies are reviewed by an IRB. This includes advertising, phone scripts and anything anyone in the office thinks might be remotely looked upon by someone else as a problem.
We have weekly office meeting where we brainstorm about how things are going. Patient safety and the need to present a good research project in a non-hurried atmosphere free of coercion are paramount to our ideals.
DSI takes seriously anyone’s concerns. We solicit advice form all, including: office staff, patients, friends, family, colleagues and the research professionals.
We use the smell test, “If it don’t smell good, don’t do it.”
Melody and I serve as volunteers on an IRB where we review other people’s research. We learn to look at things form more than one perspective.
I am the current president of the local chapter of the ACRP where we teach research to other researchers. This gives an opportunity to discuss policies and procedures with other researchers and provides an opportunity to uncover potential bias or conflicts of interest that might have been overlooked.
We sign the form describing how much financial interest we have in a given study. So far, nobody at DSI has ever had enough stock to be significant.
DSI teaches its staff about the death of Jesse Gelsinger and how the PI having a significant financial interest gives the appearance that IC might have not been as thorough as it might have been if the PI were just another researcher.
DSI maintains a list of free web-based research courses at: >this link.
As the PI, I encourage everyone to introspect about what we are doing. I have seen over the years how sponsors and monitors look at things with a fine tooth comb. By and large, if its not 100%, it’s better not to do it.

DSI wants to provide good responsible research that could stand the scrutiny of the FDA, sponsors, media and my parents. Towards this goal, we foster an open learning environment where we encourage everyone to participate and listen to all.

Sincerely,

Joseph Saponaro, MD, DABIM, FACP, CPI, CCI, CCRI, CCRC, CCRP
Board Certified Internist, JPMC
Principal Investigator, DSI
Diplomat American Board of Internal Medicine
Fellow American College of Physicians
Certified Physician Investigator by the AAPP
Certified Clinical Investigator by the DIA
Certified Clinical Research Investigator by the ACRP
Certified Clinical Research Coordinator by the ACRP
Certified Clinical Research Professional by SoCRA
Member: The American College of Preventive Medicine