STUDY OF BUSINESS ETHICS IN OCCUPATIONAL-MEDICINE

Objective--To investigate the views of specialists in occupational med icine about business ethics in occupational medicine. Method--A qualit ative study with face to face focus groups and successive reviews of t he draft consensus was undertaken of all accredited specialists in occ upational medicine who were members of the south Wales and west of Eng land group of the Society of Occupational Medicine, and of all regiona l specialty advisers deputies from the Faculty Occupational Medicine. Results--There was widespread agreement for the need of a code of busi ness ethics. In all, during the four draft stages of preparing a conse nsus, 72% (28/39) of members of the south Wales and west of England gr oup of the Society of Occupational Medicine, and 31% (20/64) of region al specialty advisers and deputies provided detailed comment for inclu sion in it. Conclusions--Consensus of their views was reached among st udy participants for issues of business ethics involving advertising, competence, qualifications, fees, commitment, changes in provider cont racts, regulation, and supervision of trainees. It provides a basis fo r further debate.