Conflicts of interest in emergency medicine.

Conflicts of interest have become prevalent in the daily practice of emergency medicine because physician relationships with patients, hospitals, insurers, and the medical industry have become increasingly complex. Conflict resolution requires both physician recognition and available resources to avoid engaging in a conflict that may jeopardize public confidence regarding patient advocacy. This article analyzes the essential characteristics of several conflicts of interest that apply to emergency physicians, and reviews rational ways to systematically avoid or curtail them.