Medical practitioners’ perceptions regarding ethical behaviour of employees of the medical devices industry in South Africa

Authors

  • Deon Lubbe
  • Dr Irene (JC) Lubbe
  • Prof Dr Angelo Nicolaides

Keywords:

Ethical behaviour, Ethics, Medical devices industry, Medical practitioners, Perceptions, Qualitative case study

Abstract

The medical device industry is a highly competitive environment. Medical device companies strategise and market aggressively to remain viable and sustainable in an environment where ethical behaviour is still an expected norm that underpins business practices. Most medical device companies trading in the South African market subscribe to strict ethical conduct policies, which are constantly communicated to staff through training programmes and refresher courses. Local and international legislation, in conjunction with business codes of conduct endorsed by industry associations such as the South African Medical Device Industry Association (SAMED), provide ethical behaviour guidance for all members of the medical devices industry.

While ethical conduct is company driven, it remains challenging to monitor and control employee behaviour during client interactions. Determining consumer perception is therefore an invaluable tool to monitor actual ethical behaviour during client interactions.

A cross-sectional, qualitative descriptive case study was conducted to determine the perceptions of medical practitioners regarding ethical behaviour of company employees in the medical device industry in South Africa. Results of the study indicated that medical device industry employees’ behaviour are perceived as ethical, but also emphasised a need for clarification on ethical behaviour and expectations in the relationship between medical practitioners and the medical devices industry. This sentiment was echoed by the study recommendations to extensively promote recommended codes of conduct as published by SAMED and to encourage regular discussions between medical practitioners and the medical device industry on ethical business practice expectations.

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Published

2019-06-01