Conflict of Interest in Research

Khaleghparast, Shiva; karimian, Samaneh

Volume 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics IJMEHM 2024, 17 - Supplement of 11th Annual Iranian Congress of Medical Ethics : 1-4 | Back to browse issues page

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Khaleghparast S, karimian S. Conflict of Interest in Research. IJMEHM 2024; 17 (S1) :1-4
URL: http://ijme.tums.ac.ir/article-1-6935-en.html

Conflict of Interest in Research

Shiva Khaleghparast¹, Samaneh Karimian ^*²

1- PhD, Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Nursing Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Institute, Tehran, Iran
2- MSc, Cardiovascular Nursing Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Institute, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: (1138 Views)

Conflict of interest refers to situations in which professional judgment or actions related to a primary interest are unduly influenced by secondary interests. In scientific communication, such conflicts can compromise professional decision-making and threaten the integrity of research outcomes. As educational, research, and clinical activities in the medical field expand, the prevalence of conflicts of interest across healthcare domains has increased. Despite the efforts of organizations such as the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors and the Committee on Publication Ethics, which have established guidelines for conflict of interest disclosure, there remains a significant gap in awareness and understanding among researchers. This highlights the urgent need for increased attention to this issue. The UK National Research Ethics Advisory Panel defines conflict of interest as situations where professional judgment concerning a primary interest, such as patient welfare or the credibility of research, is improperly influenced by a secondary interest, such as financial gain. In clinical research, therapeutic studies primarily aim to validate the safety and efficacy of new drugs or devices. This goal should take precedence over secondary concerns, such as economic benefits derived from pharmaceutical production. Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) stress that researchers have primary responsibility for the health and medical care of participants. Therefore, any conflict of interest represents a significant risk to participants, potentially compromising their welfare. To safeguard scientific integrity, institutions must enforce policies that uphold ethical principles, require researchers to disclose conflicts of interest to ethics committees, and implement measures to mitigate associated risks. Identifying and managing conflicts of interest based on their potential impact is crucial to preserving the credibility of clinical research. Members of ethics committees, like researchers, must disclose their conflicts of interest, as they significantly influence study processes. Transparency in research funding is essential to minimizing bias and managing conflicts of interest. Effective strategies for addressing conflicts of interest include the development of comprehensive policies and guidelines, the maintenance of an electronic database for conflict disclosure, and the promotion of regular training for ethics committee members and researchers on managing such conflicts. Collaborative learning initiatives and the ongoing refinement of institutional policies further enhance the management of conflicts of interest, ensuring the integrity of scientific research.

Keywords: Conflict of interest, Competing interest, Disclosure

Full-Text [PDF 383 kb] (344 Downloads)

Type of Study: Oral Presentation | Subject: Health Ethics Congress (11th) - Oral Presentation
Received: 2025/05/31 | Revised: 2026/01/12 | Accepted: 2024/12/22 | Published: 2024/12/22