Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review
Background Whistleblowing can bring suspected wrongdoing to the attention of someone who is in the position to rectify the problem. Whistleblowing research can help improve effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the health sector. Objective The objective of this scoping review is to understand...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Global Health Action |
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2022.2140494 |
| _version_ | 1797755609316065280 |
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| author | Taryn Vian Brianna Agnew Keith McInnes |
| author_facet | Taryn Vian Brianna Agnew Keith McInnes |
| author_sort | Taryn Vian |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Whistleblowing can bring suspected wrongdoing to the attention of someone who is in the position to rectify the problem. Whistleblowing research can help improve effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the health sector. Objective The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence on whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organisations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This scoping review searched the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases from 2005 to 2020, limited to English language. We also searched websites of multilateral agencies or international non-governmental organisations for policy documents, guidance and reports. Titles and abstracts were screened to remove those where the focus was not on health, pharmaceuticals, whistleblowing, or LMIC context. Articles focused on research misconduct were excluded. Full-text articles were assessed for eligibility on these same criteria. Included sources were analysed thematically, based on five categories including definitions and models; evidence of reporting frequency; factors influencing whistleblowing; cultural context; and outcomes. Results The review found 22 sources including reports, policies, and guidance documents (12, 55%), news articles (4, 18%), policy analyses/reviews (3, 14%), commentaries (2, 9%), and empirical studies (1, 5%). Most sources described whistleblowing policy and system components such as how whistleblowing is defined, who can report, and how confidentiality is assured. Few articles documented types and frequencies of corruption identified through whistleblowing or factors associated with whistleblowing. Several studies mentioned cultural norms as a potential limitation to whistleblowing effectiveness. About one-third of the sources described fear of retaliation and noted the need to strengthen protection for whistleblowers. Conclusion Research on whistleblowing is scarce in health and pharmaceutical organisations in LMICs. Documentation of policies, factors associated with whistleblowing, and whistleblowing outcomes is needed and could help countries to mainstream whistleblowing as a sectoral anti-corruption strategy. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:49:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-89270712222c4235a14765874695bebd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1654-9880 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T17:49:37Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Global Health Action |
| spelling | doaj.art-89270712222c4235a14765874695bebd2023-08-03T09:15:31ZengTaylor & Francis GroupGlobal Health Action1654-98802022-12-0115110.1080/16549716.2022.21404942140494Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping reviewTaryn Vian0Brianna Agnew1Keith McInnes2University of San FranciscoUniversity of San FranciscoVA Bedford Healthcare SystemBackground Whistleblowing can bring suspected wrongdoing to the attention of someone who is in the position to rectify the problem. Whistleblowing research can help improve effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts in the health sector. Objective The objective of this scoping review is to understand the extent and type of evidence on whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organisations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Methods This scoping review searched the PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases from 2005 to 2020, limited to English language. We also searched websites of multilateral agencies or international non-governmental organisations for policy documents, guidance and reports. Titles and abstracts were screened to remove those where the focus was not on health, pharmaceuticals, whistleblowing, or LMIC context. Articles focused on research misconduct were excluded. Full-text articles were assessed for eligibility on these same criteria. Included sources were analysed thematically, based on five categories including definitions and models; evidence of reporting frequency; factors influencing whistleblowing; cultural context; and outcomes. Results The review found 22 sources including reports, policies, and guidance documents (12, 55%), news articles (4, 18%), policy analyses/reviews (3, 14%), commentaries (2, 9%), and empirical studies (1, 5%). Most sources described whistleblowing policy and system components such as how whistleblowing is defined, who can report, and how confidentiality is assured. Few articles documented types and frequencies of corruption identified through whistleblowing or factors associated with whistleblowing. Several studies mentioned cultural norms as a potential limitation to whistleblowing effectiveness. About one-third of the sources described fear of retaliation and noted the need to strengthen protection for whistleblowers. Conclusion Research on whistleblowing is scarce in health and pharmaceutical organisations in LMICs. Documentation of policies, factors associated with whistleblowing, and whistleblowing outcomes is needed and could help countries to mainstream whistleblowing as a sectoral anti-corruption strategy.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2022.2140494whistleblowingcomplaintshealth systemsraising concernsspeaking up |
| spellingShingle | Taryn Vian Brianna Agnew Keith McInnes Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review Global Health Action whistleblowing complaints health systems raising concerns speaking up |
| title | Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review |
| title_full | Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review |
| title_short | Whistleblowing as an anti-corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review |
| title_sort | whistleblowing as an anti corruption strategy in health and pharmaceutical organizations in low and middle income countries a scoping review |
| topic | whistleblowing complaints health systems raising concerns speaking up |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2022.2140494 |
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