U of MN ethics standard panel conflict of interest.

Redrant:  I have been following the U of MN story for the last few days to see what happened.  I commented previously on s study of paying doctors $100 per patient to steer patients to the Minnesota "no cost" stop smoking program".  Since it's free to the patient and much of the advice isn't bad (though obvious) this should be a "no brainier" for doctors.  Like mechanical repair, in a situation that is not time critical you try the cheapest "fix" first.  I recently talked with a woman who got involved with quit plan.  I considered the advice they gave here to be generally good but they seemed to quick to push the pharmaceuticals.  She was on disability so she got these on very low co-pay but they were "top shelf" pharms.  I suspect the programs are set up to "gin" sales of these smoking cessation pharms.  Her counseling was very light on avoiding smoking situations.  That was critical to me when I quit.

The very well written Star Tribune story, has someone on the U of MN panel on ethics guidelines not stating the serious ethics charges against against one panel member because the the past ethics guidelines were deemed "not important".  

Hello!  The key to ethics is that "sunlight is the best disinfectant".  An accusation is not proof of guilt but all information (which can usually be googled anyway) should be put "on the table" and an opportunity for rebuttal offered.  From the Star Tribune story, it looks like the U of MN medical department is at the very least "dysfunctional" in several ways.  This same department is the recipient of many of the grants from the Minnesota tobacco settlement.

Again, this seems a well done article.  The Star Tribune tends to do a good job when they are not "political".  Please read the article and give the Star Tribune credit when it is due. http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/health/36500989.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU

Also, the comments are insightful and worth browsing.  http://ww2.startribune.com/user_comments/comments.php?d=asset_comments&asset_id=36500989&section=/lifestyle/health

Document:  disiplinary letter:  http://stmedia.startribune.com/documents/dpafurchtlet.pdf?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUvDE7aL_V_BD77:DiiUiacyKUU