Making it hard to rationalize gift exchanges.

We all like to see ourselves as honest. As physicians, when we accept a gift for which there may be some ethical implications, our natural tendency is to rationalize the action. Therefore, such opportunities need regulation. In Canada, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, universities and health authorities have made policies to limit industry-physician interactions that might promote reciprocity. While mandatory public reporting would not disallow the offering and acceptance of gifts, it would make rationalization more onerous. If the funding that physicians currently receive for education, research and honoraria is deemed reasonable by the public, then it should continue irrespective of disclosure. However, that which would not survive such scrutiny should probably cease, law or not.