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The role of the paediatric nurse in promoting paediatric right to consent
Author(s) -
ORR FIONA E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2702.1999.00223.x
Subject(s) - confusion , informed consent , nursing , intervention (counseling) , qualitative research , psychology , medicine , alternative medicine , sociology , social science , pathology , psychoanalysis
• This article examines the processes involved in obtaining informed consent focusing on the abilities and legalities related to a child's right to consent. • Most authors who have researched when a child may be considered competent to give a valid consent propose that the child must be 14 years old and thus able to think abstractly and consider the risks and benefits of the planned treatment. • Qualitative research on this topic reveals that a child's previous life experiences can influence their ability to comprehend the intervention. • This suggests children under 14 years of age may be regarded as competent. • The confusion around the prevailing legal situation is examined. • The role of the paediatric nurse is explored to distinguish areas in which the nurse could potentially make a contribution to the process of gaining consent from children. • The paediatric nurse's role as an assessor, educator and evaluator are identified.