Should doctors be allowed to refer patients to treatment they have a financial stake in?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2022-12-02 00:01

New Zealand

PHOTO: CDN Pages/Unsplash

Clinicians could soon be unable to refer patients to an investigation and treatment facility that they have an ownership interest in, as the NZ Medical Council consults on changes to its guidelines. In an editorial for the New Zealand Medical Journal, an orthopaedic surgeon (who has a financial stake in investigation and treatment facilities) writes that this could lead to the decline of doctor-led facilities, slow technological innovation in healthcare, and clog up the already stretched health system. The author says conflicts of interest must still be acknowledged, so patients can make a fully informed choice.

Media release

From: Pasifika Medical Association Group

Doctor owned investigation and treatment facilities are common in the New Zealand health system and provide important capacity for the delivery of a large amount of community based and specialised care. A consultation document on “doctors and health related commercial organisations” from the Medical Council of New Zealand proposes changes to existing guidance which would limit a clinician’s ability to refer to a facility in which they have an ownership interest. This change could potentially lead to detrimental impacts on patients, clinicians and the health system. Disclosure and communication are key to ensuring any potential conflict of interest is managed.

Journal/
conference: New Zealand Medical Journal

Organisation/s: The Orthopaedic Clinic

Funder: Competing interests: Peter Robertson is Past President New Zealand Orthopaedic Association and President Elect International Society for the Study of the Lumbar Spine. Peter Robertson has financial interests in: TBI Health and MSK Radiology. Peter Robertson is a Director of the Ascot Hospitals and Clinics Ltd and Auckland Orthopaedic Ltd.

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