Have you ever wished for expert insights when dealing with a publication dilemma?

The ISMPP Ethics and Standards Committee is excited to announce 4 new case studies that present common dilemmas in the publication process and walk through the thought process for how one might arrive at possible resolutions. Building upon 7 previously published case studies, the Case Studies Subcommittee developed 4 new cases to cover additional complexities that medical publication professionals contend with all too often.

The 11 case studies present real-life scenarios that can be used as an educational opportunity. The case studies are not written in a prescriptive way; they offer points of consideration from a panel of publications professionals to help you think through ethical questions and discussions within your organization. Readers can review a case, assess the scenario, and also refer to the ISMPP Code of Ethics as the foundation for navigating through tough situations.

New Case Study Topics

I am excited about the 4 additional case studies that the subcommittee developed with careful attention to detail and input from many people across ISMPP. Each ethics case study captures what needs to be considered across many different scenarios. They are such a valuable — but often overlooked — resource for both experienced and novice publication professionals.


Tracy Bunting-Early, Chair, ISMPP Ethics and Standards Committee

The Case Studies Subcommittee developed the 4 new cases based on their own experiences, brought them to the 2021 ISMPP Annual Meeting for discussions in roundtable sessions, revised them based on member feedback, and obtained approvals from the ISMPP Board of Trustees. The case studies are not meant to provide perfect solutions; they present day-to-day medical publication situations and share thought-provoking questions as a way to lead readers to identify best practices and standards. It is recommended that readers consult local or company-level legal counsel regarding specific situations.

We hope that you find these case studies informative.

Tam M. Nguyen-Cao and Beth Whann, on behalf of the Ethics and Standards Case Studies Subcommittee

Ethics and Standards Case Studies Subcommittee

Tam M. Nguyen-Cao, PhD, CMPP

Beth Whann, CMPP, ELS

Clair Fisher, BSc (Hons), CMPP

Tracy Bunting-Early, PhD, CMPP, BCMAS

Gary Dorrell, MS, ELS, CMPP

Danielle Sheard, CMPP


Click on each question to see the case studies!

Case-Studies-Graphic-Grouped_revised3

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