Conflict of Interest Policy

According to the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), a conflict of interest exists when an author, peer reviewer, or editor has a competing interest that could unduly influence (or appear to influence) their role in the publication process.

Mandatory Disclosure

All authors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest, including but not limited to:

• Grants or funding received.

• Honoraria or payments for services.

• Affiliations or memberships in organizations related to the study.

• Financial interests or investments in related entities.

• Personal or professional relationships that may influence objectivity.

• Data ownership rights related to the study site.

Ethical Considerations

While competing interests may not be inherently unethical, failure to disclose them can be a questionable research practice.

Importance of Transparency

Transparency is essential to maintain academic integrity and uphold ethical publication standards.