Transparent collaboration between industry and healthcare professionals

"You do something in healthcare nowadays?"

"Yes, I work for the medical industry".

"O, manufacturers? Who used to finance previously paid trips to faraway places of all kinds of doctors? Is that still working? "

Apparently this is a stubborn picture and that is unfortunate, because manufacturers themselves, and also in cooperation with other parties, hard to show that these practices are no longer of this time.

Healthcare product development

Let me say: Cooperation between doctors and manufacturers is essential for the innovations in care and tools for patients. In order to be able to continue to serve this interest, the manufacturers have in 2012 drawn up the Medical Aid Code of Conduct on their own initiative, but with the full support of the Minister. That contains rules for the interaction between manufacturers and anyone involved in the purchase or application of a medical device.

I cannot speak for all parties, but within the sector organization I work for, the manufacturers take it very seriously. Members check with each other whether certain events such as congresses are or are not "codeproof" and also discuss this with each other and with the organizers of the events.

Rules for sponsorship

Well done, you would say, but it is not easy for everyone. Unfortunately, there are still some companies that think they can withdraw from this. What if such a company contributes financially to an event that everyone can feel like when they talk about healthcare and healthcare costs? That puts the (fortunately!) Majority in the majority of well-wishing manufacturers in a difficult position. Imagine, a few of your biggest customers walk around. That is where you have a chance to have a good conversation about your products.

And by the way, who asked that company to sponsor that event? Can an organization make that in the current time in which we all have to pay attention to the costs of care and community money? Why is it not logical for his organization that a good conversation and interesting courses about the latest developments at an appropriate location somewhere in, let us say, Utrecht could take place?

Reciprocity and cooperation

Fortunately, these are exceptions and the world will also change rapidly for these parties. Since 1 January 2014, the physician and hospital umbrella organizations have also endorsed it and reciprocity has taken place. What one party cannot offer or give the other party may not ask or accept. In scientific associations and doctors in the workplace, there is a growing awareness that this code of conduct is necessary in order to be able to justify to the patient with a lifted head that a treatment with products has been chosen on well-considered grounds. The good conversations between the organizers of events and the industry are increasingly taking place. Attention is only increasing. Fortunately.

Medical Device Designing

Returning to the need for cooperation between manufacturers and healthcare professionals. Together they ensure that new and improved products and technologies come into being that makes care better and more efficient. Together they ensure that these new technologies are well tested and scientifically substantiated. In consultation, they ensure that the patient gets better. And let that be the basis for the good cooperation, and not the question whether a company does or does not sponsor.

Hello, I do write on many topics related to engineering.