Spinal-fusion surgery is an extremely expensive surgery, but become more popular in recent years. An estimated half-million Americans had this surgery in 2006. The ethical issue is whether doctors could invest in medical device company and use their product at the same time.
“Federal regulators have voiced concerns about growing popularity of the investment arrangements, which would potentially violate antikickback laws if doctors receive stock or are otherwise compensated to use or recommend certain devices.” From my understanding, it is allowed that doctors invest in the companies which supply doctors’ devices because they didn’t receive stock for free. However, this kind of relationship is easy to influence doctors’ judgment. The more surgery they do, the more profit the company they invest make. Eventually, the doctors can get a large dividend by increasing usage of the devices.
Most medical device companies are private, which mean they do not disclose their investors. It is hard to find out whether your doctors have personal interest in the surgery and the treatment or device they insist to install is just for your own benefit. Even though some hospitals insist their doctors have to disclose this kind of information to their patients. If I am a patient and my doctor told me that he/she has invested in the device he/she is going to use, my only choice will become to accept it or switch to another doctor. I will never ask doctor to use another brand of device. Things happen during the surgery and you might never know why. However, it is still better to know more. At least, we could have one more choice.
My final project will focus on the relationship between doctors and drug or medical device industry. Any suggestion or opinion is welcome. Thanks all in advance.
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