[Children's rights in Norwegian hospitals--are children and parents satisfied?]

The rights of children in hospitals in Norway are protected by regulations based on Norwegian legislation. These regulations cover matters such as teaching of hospitalized children, housing of parents, economic rights of parents, and information. We did a questionnaire study among hospitalized children and their parents about their views on how hospitals complied with these regulations. 90 of 131 questionnaires (69%) were returned. There was a considerable gap between what the law demands of continuance in health care during treatment, schooling and information, and what children and parents actually experience. The study shows that the present regulations concerning children's rights in hospitals should be changed. The health authorities should demand documentation from the hospitals as to how the rights of children are ensured in hospitals.