To Choose a Band-Aid"Children's Preferences for Participation in Health Care Situations: Q Methodology Study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Child Psychology
• Bioethics

Background:

• Child-centered care (CCC) emphasizes children's rights and family roles in pediatrics.
• Involving children in healthcare decisions is a right but not always practiced.
• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child advocates for respecting children's views.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore participation preferences of 3- to 5-year-old children in healthcare.
• To compare children's, parents', and healthcare professionals' views on child participation.
• To understand how to best involve young children in healthcare decisions.

Main Methods:

• Q methodology was employed to rank 25 statements on child participation.
• Responses were gathered from 12 children, 14 parents, and 12 health professionals.
• Factor analysis identified differing perspectives on participation preferences.

Main Results:

• Three main perspectives emerged: direct communication, understanding/shared decision-making, and responsive/child-led participation.
• Children's separate analysis revealed preferences for inclusion, small choices with outcomes, and trust through familiarity.
• Children value situational control and shared decision-making but defer major decisions to adults.

Conclusions:

• Preschoolers can meaningfully participate in healthcare with age-appropriate support and tools.
• Directly acknowledging children's perspectives is crucial, avoiding adult assumptions.
• Findings support child-centered care principles and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.