What Is Conflict of Interest?
1 INTEREST/DUTY
•Research integrity
•Education
•Patient welfare
JUDGEMENT
ADVERSE OUTCOME
2 INTEREST
•Financial gain
•Recognition
UNDUE INFLUENCE
The term Conflict of Interest is used often with the assumption that everyone has the same understanding of it’s meaning.

When unable to give the dictionary definition….  often fall back on the Supreme Court Justice Black’s comment about pornography  “I may not be able to define it, but I know it when I see it”.

I think most agree that they can recognize a conflict of interest (particularly when it’s someone else)

Graphic explanation

Every faculty member has a primary interest/duty (teach, conduct research, & pursue scholarly activities) which includes Integrity in research, patient/subject welfare when dealing with human subjects in research and providing the education to students

Many have secondary interests as well

Conflict occurs when there is a competing secondary interest (equity/management position in start up company in field of research)

Becomes problematic when the secondary interest exerts undue influence on judgment made in pursuit of primary interest/duty