Doctors Worry About Industry Gift Disclosures, Survey Finds

About 63% of surveyed doctors are concerned about having gifts that they receive from health care industry groups disclosed on a public database, according to a survey by the technology firm MMIS. The survey was released soon after CMS presented a long-awaited final rule on the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, which requires medical industry companies to disclose consulting fees, research grants and other gifts that they give to physicians and teaching hospitals. According to the survey, more than 50% of respondents said they were unaware of the Sunshine Act.

• "Docs Concerned About Gift Disclosure Rules, Survey Finds" (Viebeck, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 2/4).
• "Sunshine Act Survey: More Than 50% of Physicians Unprepared" (MMIS release, 2/4).