Whistleblowing in academic medicine

Abstract

Although medical centres have established boards, special committees, and offices for the review and redress of breaches in ethical behaviour, these mechanisms repeatedly prove themselves ineffective in addressing research misconduct within the institutions of academic medicine. As the authors see it, institutional design: (1) systematically ignores serious ethical problems, (2) makes whistleblowers into institutional enemies and punishes them, and (3) thereby fails to provide an ethical environment.The authors present and discuss cases of academic medicine failing to address unethical behaviour in academic science and, thereby, illustrate the scope and seriousness of the problem. The Olivieri/Apotex affair is just another instance of academic medicine’s dereliction in a case of scientific fraud and misconduct. Instead of vigorously supporting their faculty member in her efforts to honestly communicate her findings and to protect patients from the risks associated with the use of the study drug, the University of Toronto collaborated with the Apotex company’s “stalling tactics,” closed down Dr Olivieri’s laboratory, harassed her, and ultimately dismissed her.The authors argue that the incentives for addressing problematic behaviour have to be revised in order to effect a change in the current pattern of response that occurs in academic medicine. An externally imposed realignment of incentives could convert the perception of the whistleblower, from their present caste as the enemy within, into a new position, as valued friend of the institution. The authors explain how such a correction could encourage appropriate reactions to scientific misconduct from academic medicine.

Academic fraud: perspectives from a lifelong anesthesia researcher

“…24 However, as highlighted by the Olivieri/Apotex case, it is sobering to note that problems persist in being a whistleblower. 25 In Canada, at a national level, an important monitoring group has been struck for anesthesia research. The Perioperative Anesthesia Clinical Trials (PACT) group is now in place to aid anesthesia research in Canada.…”

“…24 Cependant, comme le démontre le cas Olivieri/Apotex, il convient de garder à l'esprit que des problèmes persistent lorsqu'on veut tirer la sonnette d'alarme. 25 Au Canada, au niveau national, un important groupe de surveillance a été établi pour la recherche en anesthésie. Le groupe PACT (Perioperative Anesthesia Clinical Trials) est désormais en place pour aider la recherche en anesthésie au Canada.…”

A Theoretical Comparison of the Models of Prevention of Research Misconduct

“…External oversight of the misconduct investigations has been considered essential by some. Penalization of oversight authorities in the research departments is also said to prompt them to maintain stricter vigil over research conduct and deter them from colluding with erring researchers in covering up misconduct (Rhodes and Strain, 2004). Fear of loss of prestige and loss of financial sponsors may prompt administrators to cover-up misconduct or perform an unfair investigation.…”

Integrity of Scientific Data: Transparency of Clinical Trial Data

“…Beyond the opprobrium on the fraudulent researcher, and the common destruction of the whistle-blower's career, [1] fraud causes prejudice to others whether they are in the same team, or use the fraudulent results. Fraud can also cause distant damage, because when fraudulent programs are financed others that might have been aren't.…”