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To the Editor: In their Commentary, Drs Topol and Blumenthal¹ have raised important ethical considerations about physicians and the investment industry. They recommend that such relationships be disclosed in publications, speeches, and relevant public pronouncements. But what about disclosure to patients? For example, if a physician is paid to serve on the "advisory board" of a company manufacturing spinal technologies such as pedicle screws and vertebral cages, should that not be disclosed to patients when those same technologies are recommended? If disclosure is appropriate at grand rounds, why not at the bedside?

Financial Disclosures: None reported.

Michael A. Patmas, MD, MMM
mpatmas@comcast.net
Oregon Health and Science University
Portland

1. Topol E, Blumenthal D. Physicians and the investment industry. JAMA. 2005;293:2654-2657. FREE FULL TEXT

Letters Section Editor: Robert M. Golub, MD, Senior Editor.

JAMA. 2005;294:1897.

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