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 Date	Comment
1.	Tue, 3/13/07 10:57 PM	whether or not Dr. Smith is competent.
2.	Tue, 3/13/07 11:07 PM	Is Dr. Smith a good neurologist?
3.	Tue, 3/13/07 11:09 PM	Is Dr. Smith a long-time friend, golfing buddy, and the best neurologist in the area?
4.	Tue, 3/13/07 11:18 PM	If 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.
5.	Wed, 3/14/07 12:35 AM	does he get a kick-back??
6.	Wed, 3/14/07 12:44 AM	Is 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.
7.	Wed, 3/14/07 12:53 AM	No COI, as long as Dr. Jones really feels that Dr. Smith is the best neurologist for the job.
8.	Wed, 3/14/07 3:00 AM	If 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
9.	Wed, 3/14/07 3:42 AM	How good a neurologist is Dr. Smith?
10.	Wed, 3/14/07 4:47 AM	If he's objectively a great neurologist, then it can be justified. But who is to make such a judgement?
11.	Wed, 3/14/07 5:33 AM	it depends how good of a neurologist Dr. Smith is
12.	Wed, 3/14/07 12:14 PM	Does he refet to Dr Smith because he is a friend or because he is considered the best in his field.
13.	Wed, 3/14/07 2:46 PM	Conflict 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
14.	Wed, 3/14/07 10:22 PM	It 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.
15.	Sat, 3/17/07 6:47 PM	No 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.
16.	Sun, 3/18/07 3:17 PM	If Dr. Smith is a good neurologist, then no, its not a COI.
17.	Sun, 3/18/07 7:07 PM	It 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,
18.	Mon, 3/19/07 6:55 PM	Is this the best neurologist that he knows? Is he aware of his capabilities and expertise? ...perhaps.
19.	Mon, 3/19/07 8:18 PM	There 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.
20.	Sun, 4/29/07 9:23 PM	If 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.