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13. Dr. Jones’ long-time friend and golfing buddy is a neurologist, Dr. Smith. Dr. Jones always refers his patients to Dr. Smith for any neurological evaluation or treatment.
#Response DateComment
1.Tue, 3/13/07 10:56 PMIs Dr. Smith on of the best neurologists in town? If so, then probably ok if ok with the patients.
2.Tue, 3/13/07 10:57 PMwhether or not Dr. Smith is competent.
3.Tue, 3/13/07 11:00 PMOn what other neurological consult options exist in the community and whether Dr. Jones believes that Dr. Smith is the best physician to treat each case
4.Tue, 3/13/07 11:07 PMIs Dr. Smith a good neurologist?
5.Tue, 3/13/07 11:09 PMIs Dr. Smith a long-time friend, golfing buddy, and the best neurologist in the area?
6.Tue, 3/13/07 11:18 PMIf Dr.Smith is the appropriate physician for Dr.Jones' problems, then he should certainly refer him there. However, if another physician would be better for a patient or insurance better covers another doc, then he should refer there instead.
7.Tue, 3/13/07 11:24 PMWhether or not patients ask to be referred elsewhere, and whether he honors their wishes or not
8.Tue, 3/13/07 11:33 PMIf he and the patients are satisfied, then I see no problem; however when his buddy is not available what does he do - why would other neurologists want to see his patients, then.
9.Wed, 3/14/07 12:23 AMNo COI if Dr. Smith is qualified to provide care for all such referrals.
10.Wed, 3/14/07 12:32 AMCOI if Dr. Jones receives material benefit from the referrals
11.Wed, 3/14/07 12:35 AMdoes he get a kick-back??
12.Wed, 3/14/07 12:44 AMIs Dr. Smith the best in his field or at least the best option available? Who you trust is the best person to refer your patients.
13.Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 AMNo COI, as long as Dr. Jones really feels that Dr. Smith is the best neurologist for the job.
14.Wed, 3/14/07 1:40 AMCould be he's the best in town, or something. Not enough info to decide.
15.Wed, 3/14/07 2:17 AMdepends on whether the referral are based on Dr. Smith's competence in neurology or friendship/personal relationship only
16.Wed, 3/14/07 2:57 AMIf he is any good at neurology.
17.Wed, 3/14/07 3:00 AMIf Dr. Smith can see the patients without delay and he is in Dr. Jones' opinion, the best neurologist(at least in the area) then there is no COI. If the referals are for any purposes other then the best quality of care for the patients, then this would be a serious COI
18.Wed, 3/14/07 3:42 AMHow good a neurologist is Dr. Smith?
19.Wed, 3/14/07 4:47 AMIf he's objectively a great neurologist, then it can be justified. But who is to make such a judgement?
20.Wed, 3/14/07 5:33 AMit depends how good of a neurologist Dr. Smith is
21.Wed, 3/14/07 12:14 PMDoes he refet to Dr Smith because he is a friend or because he is considered the best in his field.
22.Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 PMIt depends on why Dr. Smith is referring patients - if it is from friendship only, then that is an unprofessional conflict; if it is based on his professional opinion, then there is no conflict.
23.Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 PMon if Dr. Smith is any good and if patients are given any other options
24.Wed, 3/14/07 1:53 PMIf he makes the referrals because Dr. Smith is very good, then no COI. But if he makes the referrals because Dr. S is his friend, then serious COI
25.Wed, 3/14/07 1:56 PMAre there any other neurologists in the area? Is Dr. Smith a good neurologist? Is he better at some things than others? If he's the best in town or the only one in town then OK
26.Wed, 3/14/07 2:27 PMPotential for conflict if this is the only person to whom referrals are made particularly if this friend makes referrals back...and yet if referrals are being made to this individual as one of several and with patients needs in mind, less potential for harm.
27.Wed, 3/14/07 2:39 PMNo conflict of interests, if Dr. Smith is best qualified to provide the professional service.
28.Wed, 3/14/07 2:46 PMConflict may exist between maitaining his friendship with Dr. Smith and referring his patients to the neurologist who can provide the best care (which may or may not be Dr. Smith)t
29.Wed, 3/14/07 2:56 PMNo COI if Dr Jones feels Dr Smith is the best in his field. There is a COI if he is referring patients only to increase Dr Smith's revinue despite the availability of more suitable referral MD's
30.Wed, 3/14/07 5:23 PMif Dr. Smith is the best, no conflict
31.Wed, 3/14/07 10:10 PMDo other referring physicians also like and trust Dr. Smith ? Would Dr. Jones send his loved ones there? Does he offer patients other options or ask first if they have preferences?
32.Wed, 3/14/07 10:22 PMIt depends on whether or not the neurologist is competent. If not, and Dr. Jones only refers patients to Dr. Smith because he is his "buddy", that is a clear conflict of interest.
33.Wed, 3/14/07 10:22 PMIf Dr. Smith is the best neurologist in the area, then it is acceptable. The referall should not be based on their friendship.
34.Thu, 3/15/07 1:32 PMThese questions are silly. Again, if the "golfing buddy" is also the best neurologist around, there's no COI.
35.Thu, 3/15/07 8:19 PMIf Dr. Smith is the only neurologist in the area, it is ok; otherwise, is a very serious COI.
36.Fri, 3/16/07 11:29 AMon if Dr Smith is the best choice, can't we be friends with the best in our profession!
37.Fri, 3/16/07 2:39 PMIf that is the only neurologist in town that is fine.
38.Sat, 3/17/07 4:23 PMIt depends on the quality of care Dr. Smith provides in relation to the other available neurologists
39.Sat, 3/17/07 6:47 PMNo problem if Dr. Smith is the best person to care for the patient. A problem if a more qualified person is available and he still refers to Dr.Smith.
40.Sun, 3/18/07 3:17 PMIf Dr. Smith is a good neurologist, then no, its not a COI.
41.Sun, 3/18/07 7:07 PMIt depends if Dr. Smith is a quality physician and will treat his patients with the same ideals that Dr. Jones has. If so it is only a small COI. Though if his friend Dr. Smith is sub-par and has a bad track record and he needs these referrals to keep in business or gives his friend benefits for the referrals, that is a very serious COI,
42.Mon, 3/19/07 12:13 AM If Dr Smith is a competent neurologist - No conflict
43.Mon, 3/19/07 5:30 PMBuddyship has influenced medical behavior.
44.Mon, 3/19/07 6:55 PMIs this the best neurologist that he knows? Is he aware of his capabilities and expertise? ...perhaps.
45.Mon, 3/19/07 8:18 PMThere is a potential COI, but Dr. Smith may be the most exceptional neurologist available to Dr. Jones' patients. In that case, skill not friendship is taken into account for referrals.
46.Mon, 3/19/07 9:11 PMdepends on availability of other neurologists, ability of patients to opt out to another clinician
47.Tue, 3/20/07 5:02 AMif Dr smith is qualified and capable of managing the patients refered to him, there is no problem. Dr Jones need to make his patient realize other options apart from Dr Smith.
48.Wed, 3/21/07 8:32 PMcannot expect rotation of consultatnts to avoid appearnace of coi.
49.Sat, 3/31/07 3:26 AMDepends if he refers his patients because Mr. Smith is a friend, or if he is a good neurologist
50.Mon, 4/23/07 1:13 PMIf Dr. Smith is a superb neurologist and well known in the medical community for his expertise, then no COI. If he does it purely because he's a friend, I would give it a moderate COI.
51.Mon, 4/23/07 1:29 PMThis is a potential COI but if Dr. Jones is arguably the most reliable neurologist than there is no COI.
52.Mon, 4/23/07 3:41 PMIt would be OK if Dr. Smith is the only neurologist in the area, or the best at what he does.
53.Mon, 4/23/07 10:54 PMDepends on if he refers because Dr Smith is the best nerologist or because he is a good friend.
54.Tue, 4/24/07 1:52 PMAs long as it doesn't place undue burden on the patient (i.e. insurance coverage).
55.Tue, 4/24/07 7:03 PMDepends if he is considered one of the best neurologist or not. If she or he is one of the best, why would you not refer your patients to the best. Otherwise, one would always have to make friends with nonphysicians. In contrast, if the friend is not the best choice, any referals made as a consequence of friendship and not qualifications is a serious COI.
56.Tue, 4/24/07 9:49 PMHaving a personal relationship with Dr Smith does not necesarily mean that Dr Smith is not the most well-qualified to meet the needs Dr Jones' patients. In fact, knowing other physicians personally can lead to improved physician-physician communications which is in the best interest of the patient.
57.Wed, 4/25/07 7:20 PMAre there other Neurologists in town? is Dr. Smith a competent specialist.
58.Thu, 4/26/07 11:43 AMIf Dr. Smith is the best expert in the area, moder degree of COI.
59.Thu, 4/26/07 9:22 PMNo COI if Dr Smith is a competent neurologist and Dr Jones always gives his patients the choice of seeing other neurologists.
60.Fri, 4/27/07 11:59 AMAssuming competence of specialist is known, Dr. Jones can refer to whom ever s/he feels is best.
61.Fri, 4/27/07 5:38 PMDepends on the resourses available. This may be the only neurologist. If not, then there is probably a small COI in that no alternative physcian is considered.
62.Sun, 4/29/07 9:23 PMIf he is referring to Dr Smith because Dr Smith is the best neurologist he knows, then there is no conflict. If he is referring to Dr Smith because he is afraid that not referring to Dr Smith would damage their relationship, then there is a serious conflict.
63.Mon, 4/30/07 2:13 AMon the skills of Dr. Smith. If he is considered most skillful, no COI.
64.Tue, 5/1/07 12:28 AMIf the two doctors are the best avalible then there is no COI. If they are not the best then their patients may not be getting the best health care.
65.Tue, 5/1/07 5:44 PMVery dependant on the quality of practice of the neurologist
66.Tue, 5/8/07 3:29 PM....
67.Tue, 5/8/07 7:06 PMif his friend is the best neurologist than no not a conflict.
68.Wed, 5/9/07 1:02 PMCould be serious unless Dr. Smith is a very good neurologist.
69.Mon, 5/14/07 1:20 AMIf Dr. smith always pays the greens fees - yes. If Dr. Smith has quality problems - yes.