Conflicts of interest in magnetic resonance imaging: issues in clinical practice and research.

In the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in medicine and in the conduct of MRI research, conflicts of interest are routinely generated. These conflicts are not necessarily unique to MRI and are not necessarily considered malpractice or misconduct. It is important, however, for clinicians and researchers to understand what constitutes a conflict of interest and how to mitigate the potential adverse effects of those conflicts on patients and on the integrity of research. It also is important for medical professionals to understand the changes in the clinical and research environments that make conflicts of interest more prevalent and more of a concern to policy makers. Finally, it is important for medical professionals who work with MRI to understand some of the characteristics of MRI that might increase the prevalence of conflicts of interest in clinical practice and research.