Conflict of Interest (COI)

Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest     

Wake Forest University School of Medicine (WFSM) encourages interactions between industry and WFSM faculty, staff, and students to enhance the educational, research and clinical missions of the School. WFSM recognizes, however, that conflicts of commitment and research-related conflicts of interest may arise from these interactions. In most cases, these conflicts can be effectively managed once the relationship is fully disclosed to WFSM.

What is Conflict of Commitment (COC)?
A conflict of commitment exists when an individual with the Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) has a relationship that requires a commitment of time or effort to outside activities which may potentially result, either obviously or implicitly, in the individual's failure to meet his or her obligations to the School.

What is Conflict of Interest (COI)?
For WFSM, conflict of interest refers to a situation in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, or have the appearance of compromising, an individual’s professional judgment in conducting or reporting research, patient care, or carrying out or directing other types of School programs.

Conflicts of interest are commonplace and should NOT be considered as necessarily inappropriate. Such conflicts are rooted in the situation and not the character or behavior of the individual.  The keys to managing conflicts of interest are transparency and oversight, which protect study participants, investigators, and the School from misunderstanding and unwarranted suspicion of bias.  Helpful definitions and samples are provided in the following links: 
Examples of Conflicts - Case Studies
Guidelines for Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Brochure
NIH Tutorial

Disclosure
Complete transparency and full disclosure play a key role in reducing, eliminating, or managing conflicts of commitment and conflicts of interest, whether real or perceived.

Managing Conflicts
The management of financial conflicts of interest in research usually involves formal establishment of systems which ensure that objectivity and high ethical standards are maintained at all times. 

Policies, Guidelines, and other Resources
Access WFUHS and Federal policy, guidelines, and other resources here.

Committee Members Area
Conflict of Interest Review Committee Member Access Only To view this area while away from the WFUHS campus see: Accessing Committee Web sites from WFBMC Portal

Contact Teresa Anderson (tanderso@wakehealth.edu) with questions on financial conflict of interest in research.
Phone: 336-713-2990