Conflict of Interest Disclosure & Management

INTERIM DOWNLOAD SITE FOR DISCLOSURE FORM AND RESOURCES *

* For use in ATS activities OTHER THAN the International Conference and ATS Journals. International Conference participants and ATS Journals authors should continue to use the different procedures and forms posted on their respective websites.

Important Background:

In March 2008, the ATS Board enacted a new Policy on Management of Conflict of Interest (COI) that includes a new Disclosure Form to be used eventually by all ATS activities.  This site provides an interim PDF-based version of that form, instructions for use, and additional resources.   At present time, ATS is unable to “store” these disclosure forms in a manner that allows the person submitting the form to access their form through a secure ATS website after they’ve submitted, and then update that form when necessary, rather than submit a new form.  However, ATS is working to providing such archival ability for most ATS operations later in 2008, first using a PDF form, and later using a HTML form.

Instructions:

Until further notice, please follow the instructions below, which differ depending upon the type of ATS activity for which you need to provide COI disclosure.  Scroll down to section relevant to you.  Order of listing:

(1)  FOR CME ACTIVITIES APPLYING FOR ATS JOINT SPONSORSHIP;
(2)  FOR 2009 ATS ASSEMBLY/COMMITTEE PROJECTS;
(3)  FOR ATS GOVERNANCE ACTIVITIES;
(4)  FOR ATS STAFF

(1) FOR CME ACTIVITIES APPLYING FOR ATS JOINT SPONSORSHIP
            (e.g., including ATS Chapter-developed CME):

Consistent with the application process for ATS joint sponsorship effective April 2008:

Step 1: The Chapter Administrator or other activity organizer applying for ATS joint sponsorship should click here to download and e-mail the interim Disclosure Form (PDF file) to your event presenters (or the presenters may download directly from here).

Step 2: The person completing the Disclosure Form should save the completed form as a PDF file, keep one e-copy for him/herself, and e-mail a second e-copy (PDF file) to the local ATS Chapter Administrator or other activity organizer; do not email separately to ATS.  The Chapter Administrator or other organizer must have it reviewed and managed by the local event planning committee per ATS guidelines. All parties must protect the confidentiality of disclosures as they transmit or retain. Click here for ATS COI resolution guidelines for planners of jointly-sponsored CME.

(Note: the Disclosure Form now asks for (a) disclosure of dollar ranges of relevant personal financial interests with commercial or non-commercial entities, and (b) any tobacco industry relationships, in keeping with new ATS policies. The dollar range information is for COI reviewers only and not to be printed in your summary of disclosures issued to audiences. Beginning with 2009 ATS activities, individuals who disclose a current tobacco industry relationship will be ineligible to present within CME activities directly organized by ATS. However, since ATS chapters are independent entities, ATS has not made that provision a requirement for ATS approval of chapter-organized CME activities. Click here to see the ATS COI and tobacco policies.)

Step 3: The Chapter Administrator should submit to ATS, as part of the electronic application to ATS for joint sponsorship, a PDF file of each disclosure form submitted to them. (See the CME Sponsorship application/instructions under “Meetings & Courses” on the ATS website.)

Consistent with the Project Application process effective April 2008:

Step 1:  Project Applicant(s) should click here to download the interim Disclosure Form;

Step 2:  The Project Applicant(s) completing the Disclosure Form should save the completed form as a PDF file, keep one e-copy for his/herself, and post a second e-copy (PDF file) to their electronic ATS Project application on the Proposal Central site; do not email separately to ATS.  See the 2009 Project application/instructions within Assemblies section of ATS website.

(Note:  Additional instructions will be provided to the Chairs of “preliminary approved” 2009 Projects later this year regarding obtaining and reviewing completed Disclosure Forms from their Project Committee members.  Do not proceed with this until notified.)

(3)    FOR ATS GOVERNANCE ACTIVITIES:

Step 1: The person asked by ATS staff to submit a Disclosure Form for this purpose (such as members of the ATS Board, members under consideration of Nominating Committees, etc.) should click here to download the interim Disclosure Form;  

Step 2: The person completing the Disclosure Form should save the completed form as a PDF
file, keep one e-copy for him/herself, and e-mail a second e-copy (PDF file) to the ATS staff member that has requested a completed Disclosure Form.  The ATS staff member will provide received disclosure to the appropriate reviewing committee.  All parties must protect the confidentiality of disclosures as they transmit or retain.

(4)    FOR ATS STAFF:    

Step 1:  All requests of ATS staff for COI disclosure will be made by ATS Human Resources Staff.  The staff member asked to complete a Disclosure Form for this purpose should click here to download the interim Disclosure Form;

Step 2: The ATS staff member completing the Disclosure Form should save the completed form as a PDF file, keep one e-copy for him/herself, and e-mail a second e-copy (PDF file) to the ATS Human Resources staff member that has requested a completed Disclosure Form. ATS Human Resources staff will review the form and consult the ATS Executive Director if any personal financial or other interests of the staff member have been identified or disclosed that might be (or be perceived to be) a conflict of interest for that individual in acting on behalf of ATS in certain situations. If judged necessary, the staff member’s role in certain activities would be adjusted to avoid having the COI influence the individual’s actions for ATS.  All parties involved must protect the confidentiality of disclosures as they transmit or retain.

Questions?

If you need more information or assistance than is available on this site, please contact Shane McDermott, Senior Director – Ethics and Conflict of Interest Policies (and staff to the ATS Ethics and Conflict of Interest Committee), at smcdermott@thoracic.org or 212-315-8650.