Children should be seen and heard. Chronically ill children should have a voice in treatment decisions

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Medical Ethics
• Child Psychology

Background:

• Historically, healthcare decisions for sick children were solely made by parents and medical professionals.
• A shift is emerging towards involving children, particularly those with chronic illnesses, in their treatment choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the growing recommendation for children's active participation in healthcare decision-making.
• To highlight the ethical and practical benefits of involving children in the consent-assent-dissent process.

Main Methods:

• The abstract discusses recommendations from the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• It suggests a gradual approach to increasing child participation, starting with concrete tasks.

Main Results:

• Involving children increases their ownership of treatment decisions, improving adherence to follow-up care.
• Active participation enhances children's future decision-making abilities and reduces healthcare-related anxiety.
• Healthcare providers can facilitate this by gradually increasing children's involvement in treatment negotiations.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare facilities may face pressure to implement policies ensuring children's participation in their medical care.
• Empowering children in healthcare decisions is crucial for their development and future engagement with the healthcare system.