POLICY ON DISCLOSURE AND COVENANT TO DISCLOSE, 1999

Because the AAOS depends upon voluntary service by Fellows and members to achieve its goals, its disclosure policy must be realistic and workable.  The actions of Fellows or members in shaping AAOS policy must be as free of outside influence as possible and be dictated by altruistic principles.  It is recognized that in practicing orthopaedic surgery, Fellows and members may have other personal and professional interests or commitments, some of which may have the potential to create conflicts with the best interests of AAOS.  AAOS does not view the existence of these interests or commitments as necessarily implying bias or decreasing the value of participation in organization activities.

DUTY TO DISCLOSE

Each Fellow or member has the obligation to disclose all potentially conflicting interests which he or she identifies during service in an AAOS leadership position or as a member of an AAOS committee or task force.  Fellows or members must disclose those activities or relationships that are pertinent to the subject matter of the AAOS activity in which they are involved. 

PURPOSE OF DISCLOSURE

The Fellow or member shall make a disclosure of all potentially conflicting interests at a meeting of the AAOS committee or task force on which he or she serves in order to avoid misunderstanding or misrepresentation of his or her motives or interests relative to participation in a matter before that committee or task force.

WHAT SHOULD BE DISCLOSED?

Disclosure of possibly conflicting material interests or commitments include, but are not limited to an individual's (or a member of his or her immediate family's):

·        Membership on the Board of Directors, officership, editorial position, or status as a paid employee or paid or non-paid consultant in any orthopaedic health care-related organization;

·        Personal holdings in any commercial entity which provides products or services related to the subject matter under discussion by his or her AAOS committee or task force;

·        Receipt of significant support* from commercial or other sources related to a subject or product under consideration by the body of the AAOS on which the Fellow or member serves; or

·        Receipt of significant support* from commercial or other sources related to a subject or product presented at an AAOS activity by the Fellow or member, or his/her representative.

These interests or commitments are listed for illustrative purposes only.

Every Fellow and member is reminded that full disclosure must be made of any potential conflict of interest when a matter involving that interest is discussed.  This will allow other AAOS Fellows or members to make an impartial and objective evaluation of the discussion.

ANNUAL STATEMENTS AND REGULAR UPDATES

The members of the Board of Directors, the Councils, and AAOS committees and task forces, along with the staff liaison to each committee or task force and the senior management employees of the Academy, shall discuss and sign the attached Covenant to Disclose at each group's initial meeting after the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (or as soon as practical thereafter).  Each member of the group shall read and sign the Covenant to Disclose Statement.  Once signed, the staff liaison to the committee or task force shall submit the original Covenant to Disclose Statement to Meredith London, the Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice-President.  It shall be retained for at least one year.

 In addition, at each meeting of the Board of Directors, the Councils and AAOS committees and task forces after the initial meeting of the year, Fellows and members will be asked to consider their activities and to note to the group whether there are any additional activities that should be disclosed.  This follow-up discussion should be reflected in the minutes of the group. 

A failure to comply with this disclosure policy shall be considered cause for replacement or removal from office or appointment.

DISCLOSURE BY PARTICIPANTS IN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

All participants in Academy-sponsored educational activities shall disclose whether they, their co-authors or the departments with which they are affiliated received something of value* from a commercial or other party related directly, or indirectly, to the subject of their participation or presentation.  This mandatory disclosure will involve participants in all aspects of the Annual Meeting, including scientific papers, symposia, instructional courses, scientific and poster exhibits, as well as other Academy continuing medical education courses. 

Disclosure shall be in the form and content prescribed by the Board of Directors and shall occur when applying for, or when requested to participate in, a particular educational activity or presentation.  Failure to comply with this disclosure requirement will result in the Academy identifying a replacement for the planned participation.

*Any item, payment or service valued in excess of $500.