ATS members and others involved in ATS activities have diverse interests and relationships that contribute to the success of the Society, but also at times could cause actual or potential conflicts of interest (COI) that must be disclosed and mitigated (managed) effectively to maintain scientific integrity.
Therefore everyone carrying out an official ATS role is required to complete a formal process for disclosing and mitigating COI relevant to their role. This process must be completed prior to assuming the role. Official ATS roles include (but aren't limited to): planning or presenting at the annual ATS Conference or other ATS accredited continuing medical education, including Chapter CME; development of official ATS documents such as clinical practice guidelines; candidacy or election or appointment to office, such as the Board of Directors, President-appointed committees, and Assembly leaders; officially representing ATS within another organization or in ATS advocacy to legislative or regulatory officials. In addition, submission of manuscripts to ATS Journals requires completing a separate manuscript-specific disclosure process (see below).
Persons required to disclose for an official ATS role other than Journal manuscript submission are notified and provided instructions by automatic e-mails sent from our online COI system, using ethicsoffice@thoracic.org. Disclosure occurs online through the ATS-developed form at our COI disclosure website, https://convey.aamc.org/. Log-in requires a unique AAMC-username and personal password.
The following links, Help memos, and instructions are available to assist you. Contact information for ATS staff available to assist you with any of the following is also provided in the Helpful Information memo linked below.
ATS Disclosure Website – Helpful Information on Log-in and Disclosure
ATS Disclosure Website – Reviewer Instructions
Instructions for authorized reviewers of ATS COI disclosures will be issued by e-mail by ATS ethics/COI staff.
Examples of "official ATS activities" that require disclosure of potential conflicts of interest relevant to activity subject matter:
ATS Journal manuscript authors and co-authors.
Instructions available at Disclosure for Journal Manuscripts
Session presenters and chairs at the annual ATS International Conference or other educational activities accredited for continuing medical education (CME). Instructions available at Disclosure for Activities Other than Journal Manuscripts
Planners of educational activities accredited for
CME, including members of the International Conference Committee and
Education Committee.
Instructions available at Disclosure for Activities Other than Journal Manuscripts
Developers (panelists, committee members) of clinical practice guidelines or other official ATS documents. Instructions available at Disclosure for Activities Other than Journal Manuscripts
Governance roles, including: ATS officers, the Board of Directors, members of president-appointed committees. Instructions available at Disclosure for Activities Other than Journal Manuscripts
ATS Journal editors, deputy editors, associate editors or other members of journal editorial boards. Instructions available at Disclosure for Activities Other than Journal Manuscripts