Marketing pharmaceutical products to physicians. Sales reps influence physicians' impressions of the industry.

A survey conducted at a large, Midwest teaching hospital provides a better understanding of how marketing activities influence physicians' impressions of the pharmaceutical industry; in particular, the extent to which physicians believe that the pharmaceutical industry understands their needs and the extent to which it is concerned about improving the overall quality of health in the United States. Also, the authors explore the motivation of the pharmaceutical industry: Is it primarily concerned with patients or with its own self-interest?