<P> One concern regarding the intersection of medical ethics and humanitarian medical aid is how such assistance can be as harmful as it is helpful to the community being served . One such example being how political forces may control how foreign humanitarian aid can be utilized in the region it is meant to be provided in . This would be congruous in situations where political strife could lead such aid being used in favor of one group over another . Another example of how foreign humanitarian aid can be misused in its intended community includes the possibility of dissonance forming between a foreign humanitarian aid group and the community being served . Examples of this could include the relationships being viewed between aid workers, style of dress, or the lack of education regarding local culture and customs . </P> <P> Physicians should not allow a conflict of interest to influence medical judgment . In some cases, conflicts are hard to avoid, and doctors have a responsibility to avoid entering such situations . Research has shown that conflicts of interests are very common among both academic physicians and physicians in practice . The Pew Charitable Trusts has announced the Prescription Project for "academic medical centers, professional medical societies and public and private payers to end conflicts of interest resulting from the $12 billion spent annually on pharmaceutical marketing". </P> <P> Doctors who receive income from referring patients for medical tests have been shown to refer more patients for medical tests . This practice is proscribed by the American College of Physicians Ethics Manual . Fee splitting and the payments of commissions to attract referrals of patients is considered unethical and unacceptable in most parts of the world . </P> <P> Studies show that doctors can be influenced by drug company inducements, including gifts and food . Industry - sponsored Continuing Medical Education (CME) programs influence prescribing patterns . Many patients surveyed in one study agreed that physician gifts from drug companies influence prescribing practices . A growing movement among physicians is attempting to diminish the influence of pharmaceutical industry marketing upon medical practice, as evidenced by Stanford University's ban on drug company - sponsored lunches and gifts . Other academic institutions that have banned pharmaceutical industry - sponsored gifts and food include the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University . </P>

Medical treatment decisions rarely involve ethical or moral questions