Who is responsible for disclosing conflicts of interest to patients?

• A. The board discloses on behalf of licensee.
• B. The licensee must disclose conflicts of interest and avoid decisions where personal interests interfere with patient care.
• C. It is optional to disclose to patients.
• D. Patients do not have a right to know about conflicts.

Answer: (B)

The main concept is the obligation of a licensed practitioner to disclose conflicts of interest to patients and to step back from decisions where personal interests could influence care. A licensee must reveal any financial, personal, or professional interests that could bias treatment recommendations, discuss how that interest might affect decisions, and avoid making care choices when such interests could interfere with patient welfare. The board does not disclose these conflicts on the licensee’s behalf, and disclosure is not optional—patients have a right to know about conflicts to make informed decisions about their care. Failing to disclose or recuse can undermine trust and may lead to disciplinary action.