Policy on Relationships With Other Organizations

When appropriate and desirable, ASNC may solicit or accept financial or sponsorship support from both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in order to develop and/or improve activities and programs that are consistent with its mission statement. All arrangements for financial or other support must fall within the guidelines of this policy statement or be reviewed by the Board of Trustees or the Executive Council acting on behalf of the Board of Directors. Support for all continuing education programs and activities must adhere to the Standards for Commercial Support of Continuing Medical Education (CME) of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME). In addition, with regards to gifts to physicians and the conflicts inherent in such gifts, the Board of Directors has adopted the American Medical Association's (AMA) guidelines as outlined in the AMA publication entitled Gifts to Physicians from Industry.

Relationships With Other Medical Associations
ASNC shares many common goals with other organizations, and it is appropriate for ASNC to cultivate and maintain appropriate and ethical relationships with these organizations. Such relationships must not pose conflicts of interest for ASNC, its officers, staff, members, or the sponsoring organizations and they must be consistent with the goals and objectives of ASNC's strategic plan. Therefore, before co-sponsorship of an educational program can be approved, the following criteria must be met:

1. The request must be submitted to the Education Committee, allowing 30 days to review the draft program and respond to the sponsoring organization.
2. The request must include the following elements:
   1. A draft program including suggested speakers, topics and learning objectives;
   2. The name(s) of the Program Director(s);
   3. The names of other organizations that have agreed, or will be asked, to co-sponsor the activity;
   4. A statement of whether or not the program is offering educational credit (i.e. CME, VOICE, etc.)
3. Programs offering CME credit should be planned and conducted in accordance with ACCME Essentials Areas and their Elements. ASNC cannot provide CME credit for co-sponsored programs.
4. Upon approval of the request, the program may carry the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology name and logo.

Relationships With Members of Industry
The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology maintains an official policy on relationships of physicians with industry and others with respect to our participation in all meetings of ASNC boards, committees, subcommittees and writing groups. If your committee considers a matter where conflict of interest exists, you should inform the chair of your committee. The chair of the committee will decide if you should (1) leave the room for the duration of the discussion on that particular item, (2) remain in the room, but not participate in the discussion on that particular item, or (3) remain in the room and participate in the discussion, but not participate in the action (voting) on that particular item.

Working with another entity, whether commercial or not-for profit, participation in a specific arrangement or relationship does not in any way imply ASNC's approval of an organization's general policies, nor does it imply that ASNC will exert any influence to advance the organization's interests outside the substance of the arrangement itself. ASNC's name and logo may not be used in a manner that would express or imply ASNC's endorsement of the organization or its policies. ASNC accepts funds or royalties only if acceptance does not pose a conflict of interest and in no way affects the objectivity of ASNC, its members, officer or employees.

In accordance with ACCME standards, ASNC will conduct all CME programs independently and without influence or control from other supporting organizations. Supporting organizations shall not influence or control the program planning, program content, or execution of the activity; the program must be free of commercial bias for or against any products; and any product discussion must be objective, balanced and scientifically rigorous. Corporate sponsors may not engage in promotional activities in the CME program location or in the CME materials, and no promotional materials may be disseminated during the CME activities. Since the Annual Meeting printed programs are not designated as CME activities, corporate information will be permitted in the printed programs.

In accordance with the AMA's Guidelines on Gifts to Physicians from Industry and the ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, funding from industry to underwrite the costs of CME conferences or professional meetings should be made to ASNC and not to individual physicians. Subsidies from industry should not be accepted to pay for the costs of travel, lodging or other personal expenses of the physicians who are attending CME conferences or meetings. Subsidies for hospitality should not be accepted outside of modest meals or social events that are held as part of a continuing medical education conference or meeting. Industry support for the costs of travel and lodging for attendees who might not otherwise be able to participate in an ASNC event (e.g., trainees from countries or regions with developing economies) may in certain circumstances be considered appropriate; such situations will be addressed on a case by case basis.

Organizations that provide financial support to ASNC may be recognized. Such corporate recognition regularly occurs in ASNC publications and other appropriate forums. Recognition does not include any reference to the organization's products. The institutional acknowledgement may state the name, mission and areas of clinical involvement of the company or institution, and it may include corporate logos and slogans if they are not product promotional in nature. ASNC retains editorial control over any information produced as part of relationships or arrangements with other organizations. In every case, all materials in print, broadcast or electronic media prepared by the supporting organization must be submitted to ASNC for written approval prior to release.