Physicians have fielded questions for years about whether financial relationships with drug companies tarnish the practice of medicine, but it turns out a growing share of the money isn't going directly to doctors… The Mayo Clinic takes a tougher stand. Doctors at the clinic can serve as paid consultants to companies or they can conduct company-sponsored research studies. But they can't do both at the same time. "An outside researcher might say, 'Yeah, but the guy conducting the research was on the payroll of the company,' " said Dr. Michael Yaszemski, chair of the Mayo Clinic's board on conflicts of interest.

Pioneer Press, by Christopher Snowbeck, 12/2011

Tags: Conflict of interest