Abstract
Few topics in pediatric bioethics are as vexing as decision-making. Decision-making in pediatrics presents challenges for children, parents, and physicians alike. The related, yet distinct, concepts of assent and consent are central to pediatric decision-making. Although informed consent is largely regarded as a worthwhile adult principle, assent has been, and continues to be, mired in debate. Controversial subjects include a meaningful definition of assent; how old children should be to assent; who should be included in the assent process; parental permission; how to resolve disputes between children and their parents; the relationship between assent and consent; the quantity and quality of information to disclose to children and their families; how much and what information children desire and need; the necessity and methods for assessing both children's understanding of disclosed information and of the assent process itself; reconciling ethical and legal attitudes toward assent; and finally, an effective, practical, and realistically applicable decision-making model.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 195-206 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Adolescent medicine: state of the art reviews |
Volume | 22 |
Issue number | 2 |
State | Published - Aug 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health