How paediatric residents involve children during medical decision-making?

Objective. - To describe how paediatric residents involve children during medical decision-making and evaluate the relationship between practice patterns and residents characteristics. Population and methods. - We conducted a prospective multicentric anonymous written survey. Self-reported involvement of children by 45 french paediatric residents in practice pattern was collected and analysed. Results. - Most residents reported they informed patients in more than 50% of the cases (82%). Only a minority of the residents asked for consent, respected children refusal or presented other choices to the treatment. The main reasons that explain the lack of partnership are children incompetence and the medical situation. No statistically significant relationship between practice patterns and residents characteristics was found. Conclusions. - Partnership with children varies across residents and according to the level of involvement considered. No statistical differences were obtained to explain variations between residents' attitude toward involvement of children. Nevertheless medical education in ethics or decision-making could increase partnership with children. (c) 2005 Elsevier SAS. Tous droits reserves.