1.  Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to help all members of the World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology (WFUMB) to effectively identify, disclose and manage any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest in order to protect the integrity of WFUMB and manage risk. The WFUMB Executive Board (ExB) aims to effectively manage any conflict to ensure that such a conflict does not influence the implementation of good practice.

2.  Definition of conflicts of interests

A conflict of interest exists if any individual is in a position to influence policy or management of finances and has a personal or professional interest that could be perceived as influencing that individuals beliefs and behaviours. Generally, any such interest that has been active in the last 12 months (but for some maybe longer) should be declared. For this reason, all committee members, lecturers or authors involved in WFUMB activities must disclose any relevant interests/ arrangements or affiliations. For significant financial conflicts this would include the arrangements of the spouse or partner.

3.  Implementation

Conflicts of interest are common and they do not need to present a problem to the Federation so long as they are openly and effectively managed.

WFUMB will manage conflicts of interest:

• by requiring members to identify and disclose any conflict of This is achieved by requiring all committee members and members of the Administrative Council to submit an annual declaration of conflicts of interest. If a new potential conflict develops between submissions this should be declared at the next relevant committee meeting
• prior to a discussion in committee if it is expected that there may be a conflict of interest this must be disclosed to the chairman who will decide whether this should result in the member absenting themselves from the meeting, remaining in the meeting but staying silent during the discussion, not participating in any associated voting or in exceptional circumstances resigning from the committee
• once an actual, potential, or perceived conflict of interest is identified, it must be entered into
• monitoring compliance with this policy, and
• reviewing this policy regularly to ensure that the policy is operating

4. Compliance with this policy

If the board has a reason to believe that a person subject to the policy has failed to comply with it, it will investigate the circumstances.

If it is found that this person has failed to disclose a conflict of interest, the Administrative Council may take action against them. This may include seeking resignation or to terminate their relationship with the Federation.

If a person suspects that a member has failed to disclose a conflict of interest, they shall;

• Raise the potential conflict with the person and/or
• Raise the potential conflict with the President/Chair
• Refer the conflict to the Complaints Committee for final adjudication
• Notify the ExB if the person has been found to be conflicted, or if the outcome cannot be determined.

Glossary of Terms:

Conflict of Interest
Circumstances create a conflict of interest when an individual has an opportunity to affect CME content about products or services of a commercial interest with which he/she has a financial relationship. 

Commercial Interest
A “commercial interest” is defined as any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exemption of non-profit or government organizations and non-healthcare related companies. 

Financial relationships
Financial relationships are those relationships in which the individual benefits by receiving a salary, royalty, intellectual property rights, consulting fee, honoraria, ownership interest (e.g., stocks, stock options or other ownership interest, excluding diversified mutual funds), or other financial benefit.  Financial benefits are usually associated with roles such as employment, management position, independent contractor (including contracted research), consulting, speaking and teaching, membership on advisory committees or review panels, board membership, and other activities from which remuneration is received, or expected. Relationships of the person involved in the activity include financial relationships of a spouse or partner. 

Relevant financial relationships   These are financial relationships with commercial interests in the 12-month period preceding the time that the individual is being asked to assume a role in WFUMB that may create a conflict of interest. WFUMB defines 5,000 USD as the limit between modest (below 5,000 USD and significant (above 5,000 USD). Inherent in any amount is the incentive to maintain or increase the value of the relationship.

Contact

For questions about this policy, contact the Administrative Manager by email:  lrudd@wfumb.org

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM

 Please use the following E-Sign Conflict of Interest Form to complete and return back to the Administrative Manager.