Pharmaceutical policies in Canadian family medicine training - Survey of residency programs

OBJECTIVE To determine whether family medicine residency training programs have formal policies regarding interactions between residents and the pharmaceutical industry, to identify existing practices, and to find out what issues in industry-physician interaction are addressed during the 2-year core curriculum training in Canada. DESIGN Mailed survey using a questionnaire. SETTING The 16 Canadian residency training programs in family medicine. PARTICIPANTS Program directors of all 16 Canadian family medicine residency training programs replied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Number of programs with formal pharmaceutical policies; number of programs offering formal curriculum coverage of related topics in the field; program practices regarding industry sampling, detailing, sponsorship, and access. RESULTS Only four of the 16 programs have formal policies or guidelines. Topics generally covered in core curriculum included critical appraisal (13/16) and cost trends (11/16). Few programs address determinants of prescribing (5/16), marketing techniques (4/16), provincial drug access programs (6/16), or the Canadian Medical Association guidelines on physician-industry interaction (5/16). Industry presence and sponsorship in family medicine training is notable, and screening is limited. Great variation exists, and programs are interested in future initiatives. CONCLUSIONS Family medicine training in Canada is attempting to address pharmaceutical issues. Interest is strong, but these issues need to be given more emphasis.