Diminishing Corruptive Practices in the Public Hospital System of Cameroon

M. Ndofor

Description

Corrupt business and management practices exist at all levels within the public hospital system (PHS) in Cameroon and are of increasing concern among the polity as the perceptions of key stakeholders who work within the system has not been examined for helping to diminish it. In particular, these practices are affecting the well-being and socioeconomic development of its denizens. The purpose of this research was to provide further understanding of how to diminish corrupt business and management practices that continue to lead to increased monetary cost to individuals and delays in seeking preventative care within the PHS. Stakeholder theory provided a starting point for understanding and explaining the perceptions of stakeholders about corruption within the context of agency governance. The results indicated that staff/client influence rather than only lack of motivation was a rationale for accepting bribes. It also revealed diversion, where physicians keep drugs and sell to patients.

Informations

• Publié par: Langaa RPCIG
• Date de parution: 25 mars 2019
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789956550920
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 1 Mo

Extrait

Diminishing Corruptive Practices in the Public Hospital System of Cameroon

Diminishing Corruptive Practices in the Public Hospital System of Cameroon : A Qualitative Multiple Case Study

Foleng M. Ndofor

Foleng M. Ndofor

Diminishing Corruptive Practices in the Public Hospital System of Cameroon: A Qualitative Multiple Case Study Dr. Foleng M. Ndofor, Ph.D L a ng a a R esea rch & P u blishing CIG Mankon, Bamenda

Publisher: LangaaRPCIG Langaa Research & Publishing Common Initiative Group P.O. Box 902 Mankon Bamenda North West Region Cameroon [e-mail] www.langaa-rpcig.net Distributed in and outside N. America by African Books Collective [e-mail] www.africanbookscollective.com

ISBN-10: 9956-550-67-1

ISBN-13: 978-9956-550-67-8

©Dr. Foleng M. Ndofor, Ph.D 2019

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, including photocopying and recording, or be stored in any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher

Table of Contents List of figures and tables ............................................. v Abstract........................................................................ vii Acknowledgements ..................................................... ix Chapter 1: Introduction ............................................... 1 Problem of study................................................................................. 4 Purpose of study ................................................................................. 5 Conceptual Framework...................................................................... 6 Research Questions ............................................................................ 8 Significance of the Study.................................................................... 8 Summary............................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: Literature Review....................................... 11 Background of stakeholder theory ................................................... 12 Stakeholder Management Strategies for Success ........................... 32 The Public Hospital System of Cameroon ..................................... 37 The Organization Structures of the PHS and Corruption Forms ....................................................................... 40 Contextual Factors and Corruption Perspectives .......................... 44 Political factors and corruption perspectives ................................. 51 Summary............................................................................................... 54 Chapter 3: Research Method ....................................... 61 Research Methodology and Design ................................................. 61 Population ............................................................................................ 66 Sample................................................................................................... 68 Materials/Instruments........................................................................ 70 Research Procedures .......................................................................... 73 Data Collection, Processing, and Analysis ...................................... 74 Assumptions ........................................................................................ 79 Limitations ........................................................................................... 80

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Delimitations ....................................................................................... 81 Summary............................................................................................... 81 Chapter 4: Findings ..................................................... 85 Evaluation of Findings....................................................................... 103 Summary............................................................................................... 117 Chapter 5: Implications, Recommendations and Conclusions .......................................................... 119 Implications ......................................................................................... 119 Recommendations for Practice......................................................... 140 Recommendations for Future Research.......................................... 144 Conclusions.......................................................................................... 145 References ................................................................... 149

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List of Tables and Figures Tables Table 1: Stakeholder Perceptions of Corruption.................................................................................. 86 Table 2: Stakeholder Perceptions of the Different Forms of Corruption .............................................. 91 Table 3: Stakeholder perceptions of Ways in Diminishing Corrupt Business and Management Practices ...................................................... 96 Figures Figure 1: The stakeholder model of the PHS ....................... 16

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Abstract Corrupt business and management practices exist at all levels within the public hospital system (PHS) in Cameroon and are of increasing concern among the polity as the perceptions of key stakeholders who work within the system has not been examined for helping to diminish it. Specifically, these practices are affecting the well-being of Cameroonians and its socioeconomic development. The problem that needed to be addressed was the corrupt business and management practices that continue to lead to increased monetary cost to individuals and delays in seeking preventative care within the PHS. The purpose of this qualitative, multiple case study was to provide further understanding of how to diminish corrupt business and management practices that continue to lead to increased monetary cost to individuals and delays in seeking preventative care within the PHS. Stakeholder theory provided a starting point for understanding and explaining the perceptions of stakeholders about corruption within the context of agency governance. Semi-structured, open-ended telephone interviews were conducted with nine participants (three nurses, three nurse managers, and three physicians) who worked in various administrative realms within a regional hospital in Cameroon. Each interview was recorded, transcript verbatim, and analyzed using thematic deductive analysis. The results indicated that staff/client influence rather than only motivation was a rationale for stakeholder engagement in accepting bribes. A key finding of the study was the revelation of two other forms of corruption: (a) diversion in which physicians keeps drugs in their office for sale to patients and (b) extortion in which staff members condition type of service provided to level of patronage received. As a measure for diminishing corruption, it was  vii

revealed that a strong anti-corruption body that is legally grounded be installed in all departments; however, research on the requirements for setting up anti-corrupt bodies that are anchored in the legal system is lacking in current research. Additional research is recommended for investigating the requirements for setting up such anti-corruption bodies. Such research might qualitatively be designed to include other public hospitals facing similar issues with corruption and using research questions that asks stakeholder perceptions of ways in designing and implementing it.

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Acknowledgements I owe my deepest gratitude to Prof. Daniel Pitchford, who worked tirelessly to make this work possible. His expertise, high standards, and advice were critical in realizing this book. I am equally grateful to Dr. Tippins, Dr. Abigail Scheg, and Dr. Sharon Kimmel for their suggestions, feedbacks, and encouragements in realizing this project. Most important of all is the support of my family: my wife Virgie and daughter Abong who sacrificed their personal time and attention to allow me to write. My profound gratitude also goes to my wonderful parents: Mr. Clement Ndofor (late) and Mrs. Winifred Ndofor. The sacrifices you both made in raising me in a caring home cannot be repaid with monetary value. Finally, I like to extend my deepest appreciation to my friends, brothers, and sisters with their families: Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Ndofor, Mr. & Mrs. Denis Ndebum, Mr. Norbert & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Nico Ndofor, Miss. Judith Ndofor (late), Mami Anastasia & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Julian Ndofor, and Vernita Ndofor. Your steadfast support, prayers, and best wishes during this process was uplifting and encouraging. Thank you all!

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