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Revision as of 19:55, 21 February 2011 editWLU (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers52,243 edits →Who has a conflict of interest?: hm...trying out some different headings, feel free to revert← Previous edit Latest revision as of 00:49, 20 August 2024 edit undoPEPSI697 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers12,292 editsm Reverted 1 edit by 2001:FD8:1734:C320:5C86:B8EA:3A14:146 (talk) to last revision by DustfreeworldTags: Twinkle Undo Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit 
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{{supplement|Misplaced Pages:Conflict of Interest|shortcut=WP:MEDCOI}} {{Supplement|pages=] page}}
{{Misplaced Pages:MEDRS/Navigation}}
{{shortcut|WP:COIM}}
On Misplaced Pages, a ] (COI) involves contributing to articles and discussions about yourself or your external relationships, including family, friends and clients. Conflict-of-interest editing is strongly discouraged. It risks causing public embarrassment to the individuals and groups being promoted (see ]). "isrepresenting your affiliation with any individual or entity" is a violation of the Wikimedia Foundation's ].<ref>The Foundation's terms of use are Misplaced Pages policy, see ].</ref>


This ] outlines possible issues related to conflicts of interest in medicine-related articles on Misplaced Pages.
On Misplaced Pages, a ] is an incompatibility between what the community believes is in Misplaced Pages's best interest and what you believe is in your best interest. If you edit Misplaced Pages to promote your goals to the detriment of the project's goals, you are abusing your conflict of interest and may be subject to sanctions, such as ].

This ] outlines typical issues related to conflicts of interest in medicine-related articles on Misplaced Pages.


== Who has a conflict of interest? == == Who has a conflict of interest? ==


] ]


It's essential to differentiate between actual and potential conflicts of interest. For instance, an employee of a pharmaceutical company possesses a potential conflict of interest regarding that company and its products. However, it only becomes an actual conflict only if they choose to edit the associated article, engage in discussions about it, or make edits about rival products. In most other contexts, their editing remains uncontroversial.
Misplaced Pages ultimately draws a distinction between ''having'' a conflict of interest and ''abusing'' a conflict of interest. It is possible for a person to have, or to appear to have, a conflict of interest without abusing it.


Expertise, especially in niche fields, often comes with proximity to the subjects at hand. An expert, by virtue of their deep knowledge and involvement in their area, is more likely to have personal or professional connections, past collaborations, or even subtle biases regarding specific topics or entities within their field. This proximity can be an asset, providing detailed and accurate information. However, it also raises the potential for conflicts of interest. Recognizing and navigating this balance is vital for ensuring the integrity of contributions.
Merely ''having'' a real-world connection to the subject is not, on its own, a violation of Misplaced Pages's policies. For example, a person who is employed by a pharmaceutical manufacturer ''has'' a conflict of interest, but if this person's edits comply with Misplaced Pages's content and sourcing policies, then the person is not ''abusing'' the conflict of interest, and is welcome to edit articles.


Nevertheless, experts should refrain from using Misplaced Pages as a platform to push personal theories or to unduly highlight matters that they find especially significant, particularly if this emphasis doesn't mirror the consensus within the broader scientific community. Actions like these might contravene Misplaced Pages's stance against ]. If you find yourself deeply moved by a specific medical topic, it's wise to refer to the insights laid out in ] and ]. Also, consider comparing your actions to typical behaviors observed in advocates, as described at ].
Prohibitions on ] have been discussed, and have not been adopted. It is difficult to detect paid editors without voluntary disclosure, and it is possible to edit an article in ways that ultimately benefit Misplaced Pages more than the paid editor.


== COI disclosure and direct article editing ==
"Being an expert" has never been considered a conflict of interest by the Misplaced Pages community. However, a very few experts have tried to use Misplaced Pages to promote their own theories, and that is always inappropriate.
=== General conflict of interest ===
If you have a general conflict of interest, you are encouraged by the ] guideline to disclose it, and you are strongly discouraged from editing affected articles.

Self-identification is a two-edged sword: You get points from most users for being honest, and editors often recognize your expertise, but a few have used it to harass editors. Do not disclose personal information that could put you at risk in the real world, such as by attracting stalkers to your home.

=== Financial conflict of interest===
Editors with a financial COI are advised by ] (part of ]) to refrain from editing affected articles. They may suggest changes on the talk pages of those articles, and should disclose the COI as part of the request. The {{t|edit COI}} template can be used to do this.

===Paid editing===
{{main|WP:DISCLOSEPAY}}
] (part of ]) advises paid editors not to edit affected articles directly, but to make suggestions for change on the articles' talk pages.

The Wikimedia Foundation's ] require editors to disclose their employer, client and affiliation with respect to any edit for which they receive, or expect to receive, compensation. The disclosure must be made in at least one of the following ways:

*a statement on your user page,
*a statement on the talk page accompanying any paid contributions, or
*a statement in the edit summary accompanying any paid contributions.

Some paid editors have included their employers' names in their account names, e.g., . You may not, however, set up a ] that is used by multiple people.

If your conflict of interest relates to your employment, you should check with your employer. Some companies require public disclosure of the conflict of interest, and a few prohibit their employees from editing Misplaced Pages. If editing from your workplace, or as part of your job, it may be worth establishing a legitimate ] to segregate work and personal editing.

Editing without an account exposes your ] to the world. Corporate IP addresses are highly traceable, and public reports are sporadically issued on abusive editing by unregistered users from corporate offices, leading to embarrassment and occasionally real-world disciplinary actions.

==Common mistakes==
These are some common mistakes that are specific to editors who have health- or medicine-related conflicts of interest.
{{-}} {{-}}
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable" style="width: 80%"
|- |-
! scope="col" width="40%" |Editors
! Possible conflict
! scope="col" width="40%" |COI mistakes
! Expertise
! Possible problems
|- |-
| Employees of pharmaceutical or ] manufacturers | Owners, employees or contractors of pharmaceutical, ], diagnostic, or ] manufacturers, ], and public-relations representatives for such companies
|
| Knowledge of a product's regulatory and commercial history
* Editing articles about an employer's or client's products or business
| Deleting ] information about ], perhaps to drive up the stock price
* Taking up disproportionate amounts of volunteers' time on talk pages
* Requesting the addition of unsourced or poorly sourced content about a product's safety or efficacy, or the deletion of ] material about ]
* Requesting the deletion of well-sourced, ] material about proprietary technology
* Requesting the addition of criticism of competitors' products
|- |-
| Healthcare professionals (mainstream and alternative) | Healthcare providers (physicians, surgeons, nurses, etc.)
|
| Knowledge of well-sourced information about the profession, health issues, or treatments
* Promoting your medical practice, department, or institution
| Adding or removing information so that a patient will make the "]" choice
* Promoting your medical theories, approaches, or inventions
|- |-
| Healthcare advocates and ] | Healthcare advocates and ]
|
| Knowledge of sources regarding social movements and effects
| Promoting ] or ] * Promoting ] or ]
* Changing the page to make sure it has the ] information.
|- |-
| Scientists in academia or companies
| People with a medical condition
|
| Reverting ] or ]
* Citing your latest paper in the hope that increased visibility will drive up your ]
| Adding information so that your friends and family will be more sympathetic
* Attempting to diminish or disparage a competitor's views or publications
|}

People with a close tie to the subject may be very knowledgeable about it, and their input on talk pages can be useful when it comes to the who, what, where, when, and how of complex topics. Examples include:
{{-}}
{| class="wikitable" style="width: 80%"
|- |-
! scope="col" width="40%" |Editors
| Academics and other experts
! scope="col" width="40%" |Expertise
| Adding ] information to reflect the current expert opinion
|-
| Citing your latest paper in the hope that increased visibility will drive up your ]
| Owners, employees or contractors of pharmaceutical, ], or ] manufacturers, and their PR representatives
| Knowledge of sources regarding a product's regulatory and commercial history
|-
| Members of healthcare-advocacy groups<!--this wouldn't necessarily be a COI-->
| Knowledge of sources regarding social movements and their effects
|} |}


In these cases, "knowledgeable" means knowing about '']'', not simply knowing about the topic: Personal experience is never a valid reason for adjusting a page. Once a source has been identified, the ability of any editor to integrate it into the page and summarize it accurately is limited only by their understanding of the material.
== Disclosing a conflict of interest ==

If you have a conflict of interest, you are encouraged—but not required—to share that information with others.


== How you can help if you have a COI==
Self-identification is a two-edged sword: You get points from most users for being honest, and editors often recognize your expertise, but a few have used it to harass editors. Do not disclose personal information that could put you at risk in the real world, such as by attracting stalkers to your home.
* '''Meeting obvious needs'''. Anyone is welcome to revert ] and ].

* '''Identifying non-controversial changes'''. Within your expertise, focus on the 90% that everyone agrees on, rather than the 10% that is disputed. Factual errors can be brought to the attention of other editors, either on the article's talk page or at one of the noticeboards.
If your conflict of interest relates to your employment, you should check with your employer. Some companies require public disclosure of the conflict of interest, and a few prohibit their employees from editing Misplaced Pages. You might be eligible for ] if you want to separate your work-related editing from non-work-related editing.

;Ways to voluntarily disclose a conflict of interest
* Some editors have voluntarily chosen to disclose a conflict of interest by including their employers' names in their account names, e.g., . You may not, however, have ].
* Other editors explain their situation on their ].
* Another option is to identify your conflict of interest on the ] of articles you edit.
* Editing without an account exposes your ] to the world. Corporate IP addresses are highly traceable, and public reports are sporadically issued on abusive editing by unregistered users from corporate offices, leading to embarrassment and occasionally real-world disciplinary actions.

== How to minimize abuse ==

Editors at medicine-related articles use several strategies to reduce the risk of abusing a conflict of interest. These include:

* '''Meeting obvious needs'''. Anyone is welcome to revert ] and to ]. Please correct serious factual errors, although you might leave the fine points and controversies to others.
* '''Learning our standards'''. Read our advice on finding the best sources for medical information at ]. Read our style guide at ]. Remember that Misplaced Pages does not provide ] and is not a patient guide or drug formulary. * '''Learning our standards'''. Read our advice on finding the best sources for medical information at ]. Read our style guide at ]. Remember that Misplaced Pages does not provide ] and is not a patient guide or drug formulary.
* '''Supplying top-quality sources'''. Supplying high-quality ] on the talk page is often helpful.
* '''Adding non-controversial information'''. Employees in the medical manufacturing industries might be in a unique position to provide commercial, regulatory, and historical information for products. Healthcare professionals are often skilled at explaining complex disease processes. Patients with chronic medical conditions often understand the prognosis and social impact of a medical challenge. Within your expertise, focus on the 90% that everyone agrees on, rather than the 10% that is disputed.
* '''Working together'''. Propose improvements on the talk pages, explaining your reluctance to edit directly. Be careful not to take up a disproportionate amount of volunteer time; see ].
* '''Supplying top-quality sources for everything'''. Adding high-quality ] is one of the best ways to show that your work is intended to benefit the reader, rather than yourself.
* '''Getting help with disputes'''. If you need help, post a message at ] or ].
* '''Working together'''. Propose sources and improvements on the talk pages, explaining your reticence to ] add the material if you suspect that you might be accused of abusing a conflict of interest.

* '''Getting help with disputes'''. If you need help, post a message at ] or ] to request help.
==What does a conflict of interest ''not'' mean?==
{{seealso|Misplaced Pages:Pharmanoia}}
That a conflict of interest exists does not mean that material from a conflicted source or editor should necessarily be dismissed. It does mean that COI editors, and in particular paid editors, are advised to raise concerns on talk pages rather than edit affected articles directly, and to be more respectful of ], more scrupulous about ] and ], and more aware of their own biases.


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ] – an essay to help subject-matter experts understand Misplaced Pages
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] * ] – first published in PLoS and intended for scientists and physicians
* ] * ]
* ]
* ], on the need to present mainstream views as being mainstream, and minority views as being minority views
* ] You are allowed to cite your own papers, but within limits

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* , example of an employer's policy on editing Misplaced Pages

{{Misplaced Pages biomedical editing}}

Latest revision as of 00:49, 20 August 2024

This is an explanatory essay about the Misplaced Pages:Conflict of Interest page.
This page provides additional information about concepts in the page(s) it supplements. This page is not one of Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community.
Explanatory essay about the Misplaced Pages:Conflict of Interest page Misplaced Pages biomedical editing
Shortcut

On Misplaced Pages, a conflict of interest (COI) involves contributing to articles and discussions about yourself or your external relationships, including family, friends and clients. Conflict-of-interest editing is strongly discouraged. It risks causing public embarrassment to the individuals and groups being promoted (see Misplaced Pages is in the real world). "isrepresenting your affiliation with any individual or entity" is a violation of the Wikimedia Foundation's terms of use.

This essay outlines possible issues related to conflicts of interest in medicine-related articles on Misplaced Pages.

Who has a conflict of interest?

Individuals keen on improving an article are more likely to have ties to its subject.

It's essential to differentiate between actual and potential conflicts of interest. For instance, an employee of a pharmaceutical company possesses a potential conflict of interest regarding that company and its products. However, it only becomes an actual conflict only if they choose to edit the associated article, engage in discussions about it, or make edits about rival products. In most other contexts, their editing remains uncontroversial.

Expertise, especially in niche fields, often comes with proximity to the subjects at hand. An expert, by virtue of their deep knowledge and involvement in their area, is more likely to have personal or professional connections, past collaborations, or even subtle biases regarding specific topics or entities within their field. This proximity can be an asset, providing detailed and accurate information. However, it also raises the potential for conflicts of interest. Recognizing and navigating this balance is vital for ensuring the integrity of contributions.

Nevertheless, experts should refrain from using Misplaced Pages as a platform to push personal theories or to unduly highlight matters that they find especially significant, particularly if this emphasis doesn't mirror the consensus within the broader scientific community. Actions like these might contravene Misplaced Pages's stance against advocacy on its platform. If you find yourself deeply moved by a specific medical topic, it's wise to refer to the insights laid out in WP:SPA and WP:ADVOCACY. Also, consider comparing your actions to typical behaviors observed in advocates, as described at WP:TENDENTIOUS.

COI disclosure and direct article editing

General conflict of interest

If you have a general conflict of interest, you are encouraged by the WP:COI guideline to disclose it, and you are strongly discouraged from editing affected articles.

Self-identification is a two-edged sword: You get points from most users for being honest, and editors often recognize your expertise, but a few have used it to harass editors. Do not disclose personal information that could put you at risk in the real world, such as by attracting stalkers to your home.

Financial conflict of interest

Editors with a financial COI are advised by WP:FINANCIALCOI (part of WP:COI) to refrain from editing affected articles. They may suggest changes on the talk pages of those articles, and should disclose the COI as part of the request. The {{edit COI}} template can be used to do this.

Paid editing

Main page: WP:DISCLOSEPAY

WP:NOPAY (part of WP:COI) advises paid editors not to edit affected articles directly, but to make suggestions for change on the articles' talk pages.

The Wikimedia Foundation's terms of use require editors to disclose their employer, client and affiliation with respect to any edit for which they receive, or expect to receive, compensation. The disclosure must be made in at least one of the following ways:

  • a statement on your user page,
  • a statement on the talk page accompanying any paid contributions, or
  • a statement in the edit summary accompanying any paid contributions.

Some paid editors have included their employers' names in their account names, e.g., these accounts from GlaxoSmithKline. You may not, however, set up a shared account that is used by multiple people.

If your conflict of interest relates to your employment, you should check with your employer. Some companies require public disclosure of the conflict of interest, and a few prohibit their employees from editing Misplaced Pages. If editing from your workplace, or as part of your job, it may be worth establishing a legitimate second account to segregate work and personal editing.

Editing without an account exposes your IP address to the world. Corporate IP addresses are highly traceable, and public reports are sporadically issued on abusive editing by unregistered users from corporate offices, leading to embarrassment and occasionally real-world disciplinary actions.

Common mistakes

These are some common mistakes that are specific to editors who have health- or medicine-related conflicts of interest.

Editors COI mistakes
Owners, employees or contractors of pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, diagnostic, or medical device manufacturers, contract research organizations, and public-relations representatives for such companies
  • Editing articles about an employer's or client's products or business
  • Taking up disproportionate amounts of volunteers' time on talk pages
  • Requesting the addition of unsourced or poorly sourced content about a product's safety or efficacy, or the deletion of well-sourced material about adverse effects
  • Requesting the deletion of well-sourced, appropriate material about proprietary technology
  • Requesting the addition of criticism of competitors' products
Healthcare providers (physicians, surgeons, nurses, etc.)
  • Promoting your medical practice, department, or institution
  • Promoting your medical theories, approaches, or inventions
Healthcare advocates and activists
Scientists in academia or companies
  • Citing your latest paper in the hope that increased visibility will drive up your H-index
  • Attempting to diminish or disparage a competitor's views or publications

People with a close tie to the subject may be very knowledgeable about it, and their input on talk pages can be useful when it comes to the who, what, where, when, and how of complex topics. Examples include:

Editors Expertise
Owners, employees or contractors of pharmaceutical, dietary supplement, or medical device manufacturers, and their PR representatives Knowledge of sources regarding a product's regulatory and commercial history
Members of healthcare-advocacy groups Knowledge of sources regarding social movements and their effects

In these cases, "knowledgeable" means knowing about reliable sources, not simply knowing about the topic: Personal experience is never a valid reason for adjusting a page. Once a source has been identified, the ability of any editor to integrate it into the page and summarize it accurately is limited only by their understanding of the material.

How you can help if you have a COI

  • Meeting obvious needs. Anyone is welcome to revert vandalism and fix grammar problems.
  • Identifying non-controversial changes. Within your expertise, focus on the 90% that everyone agrees on, rather than the 10% that is disputed. Factual errors can be brought to the attention of other editors, either on the article's talk page or at one of the noticeboards.
  • Learning our standards. Read our advice on finding the best sources for medical information at WP:MEDRS. Read our style guide at WP:MEDMOS. Remember that Misplaced Pages does not provide medical advice and is not a patient guide or drug formulary.
  • Supplying top-quality sources. Supplying high-quality independent, third-party sources on the talk page is often helpful.
  • Working together. Propose improvements on the talk pages, explaining your reluctance to edit directly. Be careful not to take up a disproportionate amount of volunteer time; see WP:COITALK.
  • Getting help with disputes. If you need help, post a message at WikiProject Medicine or WikiProject Pharmacology.

What does a conflict of interest not mean?

See also: Misplaced Pages:Pharmanoia

That a conflict of interest exists does not mean that material from a conflicted source or editor should necessarily be dismissed. It does mean that COI editors, and in particular paid editors, are advised to raise concerns on talk pages rather than edit affected articles directly, and to be more respectful of consensus, more scrupulous about sourcing and neutrality, and more aware of their own biases.

See also

References

  1. The Foundation's terms of use are Misplaced Pages policy, see Misplaced Pages:Terms of use.

External links

Misplaced Pages biomedical editing
Category: