An Analysis of the Open Payment Database in Neurotology.

Abstract

Since the introduction of the Sunshine Act in 2010 and Open Payments Database (OPD) in 2013, a significant amount of data has been collected on physicians and the payments received through ties with pharmaceutical and medical device companies. To date, a study within the field of otology and neurotology using data from the 2015 OPD has not been conducted. As such, we assessed the validity and accuracy of OPD information for otologists and neurotologists (O&Ns). Of the 126 physicians listed as O&Ns in the OPD, 25 were actually general otolaryngologists, and 1 was a cardiologist. In addition, 88 O&Ns were misclassified by the OPD as general otolaryngologists. A total of 1156 payments, summing $1,966,204, were made to O&Ns as a whole, with 646, 507, and 3 payments classified as general, research, and ownership/investment interests, respectively. Analysis of OPD data for O&Ns demonstrates a significant financial relationship between O&N physicians and industry, as well as noteworthy inaccuracies in the OPD that likely affect other subspecialties.