Table 4.

Feedback on the ICJME “uniform disclosure form” initiative

1) Editor was familiar with the ICMJE initiative “before” receiving the survey: 15/42 (36 %)

2) The initiative was considered of value to the “particular” journal: 38/42 (90 %)

3) Editors willing to implement the initiative within 3 years: 31/46 (67 %)

4) Main perceived advantages of the initiative (top 5):

a. Provides a common “uniform” platform for all journals: 42

b. All relevant information about COI is nicely presented and explained: 18

c. Allows easy update of the requested information: 12

d. Facilitates sequential submissions (if the paper is rejected by a journal): 11

e. Allows archiving of the requested information: 10

5) Main perceived disadvantages of the initiative (top 6):

a. Increases the complexity of the submission process: 29

b. Publishing in the journal all potential COI of every author is not feasible: 17

c. Verification of the disclosed/undisclosed COI remains impossible: 17

d. Increases editorial bureaucracy: 15

e. Too detailed and exhaustive: 14

f. The meaning of some potential COI (travel grants to meetings, etc.) might be perceived differently by American and European authors/journals/readers: 14

COI conflicts of interest; ICMJE international committee medical journals editors