Editor’s response

Diane Kelsall

I agree with Dr Maxwell that the article on acute otitis media in children with tympanostomy tubes by Schmelzle et al should have included more information about the involvement of RT Communications in the development of this article to allow the reader to make an informed decision about the credibility of the article.

The Centre for Studies in Primary Care at Queen’s University has a contractual relationship with RT Communications for the development of evidence-based reviews on a variety of topics. This agreement included completing a report on the current evidence and developing several critically appraised topics, case studies, and a clinical decision tool on the topics of otitis media and otitis externa. RT Communications’ client was Alcon, makers of ophthalmologic and otic preparations. However, RT Communications and Alcon had no involvement in writing this paper, including setting the topic, writing any part of it, or rights of approval. RT Communications was notified of this paper after its acceptance for publication. None of the authors have or had any relationships with any pharmaceutical companies that have products discussed in the paper.

Since 2003, Canadian Family Physician has published a declaration of author contribution for research articles. Competing interest statements have been published since 2002 and are required for all articles. Articles published in the College section written by College staff are excluded from this requirement, unless there is a competing interest beyond the author’s role at The College of Family Physicians of Canada.