Payments by Drug and Medical Device Manufacturers to Society of Urologic Oncology Fellowship Program Directors.

Abstract

Introduction: This study aims to characterize payments by drug and medical device manufacturers to current program directors (PDs) of the Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO)-accredited fellowship programs in the United States.

Methods: PDs were identified from SUO fellowship websites as of February 2024. Demographic data, educational background, and scholarly metrics were collected through an online search. Industry payments to SUO PDs from 2014 to 2023 were extracted from the Open Payments database. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize PD characteristics and industry payment details. Univariable linear regression was used to assess the association of PD characteristics or scholarly metrics with payments.

Results: Fifty-one PDs from 37 SUO fellowship programs were identified. PDs were predominantly men (94%) and mid career. In aggregate, over the study period, PDs received US dollars ($) 18,963,555 in industry payments over 10 years. Most payments were for associated research funding ($15,490,525, 81.6%; median [IQR] per PD recipient, $126,584 [$36,565-$706,516]; 1262 payments). General payments accounted for a total of $3,473,030 (18.3%; median [IQR] per PD, $10,345 [$2196-$49,180]). SUO PDs received $120,763 (0.6%) for education fees. No association was found between PD characteristics or research metrics and industry payments.

Conclusions: PDs of SUO fellowships receive significant industry payments, surpassing those received by the average urologist. Most of these payments are allocated to research, with smaller proportions directed to general support and educational initiatives.