Non-financial conflicts of interest in medicine - a narrative review

Conflicts of interest have the potential to unduly influence medical research and clinical practice. While financial interests, such as funding and researchers' financial relationships, have received most attention, non-financial interests are also considered important. Non-financial interests are, however, more difficult to define and identify, the evidence of their impact is limited, and there is little consensus on how to disclose and manage them. Further research is needed to clarify how nonfinancial interests operate, and journals should improve guidance for how they should be addressed.