Research fraud

Issues

• Research ethics
• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Patient safety

Seek information 

• Discuss with your colleague what you noticed - is there an explanation for what the different data?
• Review the data myself with time
• Check previous data you worked on together for any discrepancies

Patient safety 

• Consider patient safety implications in the long-term after disseminating incorrect data and adopting the less favourable operative technique based on inaccurate findings
• Colleague may have done this before with other research already impacting patient safety - this will need formal investigation

Initiative

• Raise the issue with colleague directly
• Refuse to proceed with incorrect data
• Withdraw work that may also include inaccurate results previously submitted

Escalate 

• If there is a consultant supervising the research, escalate to this senior
• Otherwise educational/clinical supervisor is also appropriate
• Next, would be the head of department
• Can refer to local research ethics policy for advice on escalation
• Can get confidential support from research ethics committee or research services department

Support

• Support team: Support research team by helping any investigation going forward

Document 

• Document findings and conversations

Reflect

• Write a reflection on portfolio
• Discuss management of problem with educational supervisor

• Attempt to resolve by directly to the registrar
• If I cannot, escalate right away to clinical/educational supervisor
• Liaise with rota co-ordinator to request being allocated to a different theatre list
• Address promptly - unprofessional and rude behaviour worsens patient outcomes, it's affecting training opportunity, the behaviour must be challenged to protect future trainees.