UChicago Medicine upholds a strong commitment to ethical conduct and maintains integrity across all operations, especially concerning healthcare regulations. This dedication is fundamental to our mission of superior patient care, groundbreaking research, and excellent medical education.
Like many leading academic medical centers, physicians and health professionals at UChicago Medicine often collaborate with external entities, including pharmaceutical and medical device companies. These partnerships are crucial for developing innovative treatments and medical products aimed at improving patient outcomes. Sometimes, these collaborations mean that a physician, such as Doctor Goldenberg for example, may have financial interests in these external companies. These interests can arise from ownership stakes, consulting fees, speaking engagements, or royalties from inventions.
To maintain patient trust and ensure objectivity in medical care, UChicago Medicine mandates a transparent reporting system. All physicians and health professionals are required to disclose their financial relationships with external entities annually. This reported data is carefully reviewed to identify potential financial conflicts of interest. When a significant conflict is detected, a detailed management plan is implemented to minimize any potential biases and ensure patient care remains unbiased.
For patients of UChicago Medicine who wish to learn more about their physician’s external affiliations, open communication is encouraged. We recommend initiating a direct conversation with your physician to discuss any questions or concerns. Furthermore, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Open Payments website (https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/) provides a publicly accessible database detailing payments made by drug and medical device companies to physicians and hospitals. This national program aims to enhance transparency within the healthcare system.
It is important to note that while the CMS Open Payments database is a valuable resource, the information contained may sometimes include inaccuracies or outdated data. Data requires careful interpretation, and we encourage patients to discuss any questions about the information with their healthcare provider for clarity and a comprehensive understanding. Understanding these relationships is part of ensuring trust and informed decisions in your healthcare journey with UChicago Medicine and physicians like Doctor Goldenberg.
