Transparency

Abstract

This column is a review of the use of the term transparency as it relates to healthcare with specific emphasis on nursing practice. Concept analysis is guided by Parse's concept inventing approach. The relevance of this concept to nursing has become increasing important in the language of healthcare. There is no standard definition of the term in nursing or healthcare. Transparency or lack thereof shapes the future of disciplines. The author provides a theoretical definition of transparency for nurses to consider.

Developing A Corruption-Vulnerability Index for Organizations: A Study of Indian State-Owned Enterprises

“…Transparency is also defined as the willingness to hold oneself (and one's action) open to inspection in order to receive valid feedback (Ellis et al, 1999). The characteristics of transparency most frequently used in the relevant literature are openness, disclosure, sharing, and free flow of information (Horne, 2012). Harvey, Martinko, & Gardner (2006) argued that a transparent organizational context can promote authenticity because transparency reduces the likelihood of biased attributions by clarifying the causes of outcomes.…”

Price transparency in Iranian healthcare market

“…The issue of price transparency has gained attention from health policymakers over the last two decades. The literature on this topic in online databases has significantly increased from 2001 to 2005, highlighting the role of transparency in the optimal selection of services and the improvement of health system efficiency [18] . However, in Iran, as in other low and middle-income countries, price transparency remains largely unaddressed, both in theory and practice [19] .…”

“…Nonetheless, caution is essential when disseminating price information, particularly for emergency and preventive healthcare services, which may carry potential patient risks [29] . Irrespective of the healthcare service, the manner of conveying price information must prioritize accuracy, comprehensibility, reliability, and the use of up-to-date data, all within a standardized format [13] , [18] , [30] , [31] .…”

“…Neglecting to utilize price transparency tools or offering price information without simultaneous details about service quality can lead to increased healthcare service costs and pricing. Consequently, patients may become hesitant to seek essential medical services, causing reduced accessibility, especially within consumer-directed health plans [15] , [18] , [20] , [32] Boston-Fleischhauer [32] underscore that factors contributing to the ineffectiveness of price transparency initiatives include service provider monopolies, limitations on product substitution, and high levels of product standardization.…”