¿Podemos incluir a los niños? Preferencias de padres y niños en la toma de decisiones clínicas

Introduction: shared decision-making is the ideal method in clinical practice to involve both health personnel and the patient. Objective: to explore the preferences of both school-age participants and their primary caregivers regarding the inclusion of pediatric patients themselves in the health decision-making. Material and methods: qualitative study, which is based on individual interviews of 12 children (ages 11 and 12) and 15 mothers or caregivers. Interview responses were transcribed verbatim in two cycles of data coding, using NVivo version 12 software. Themes and subthemes were identified according to participants responses. Results: it was found that the inclusion of children in the transmission of information about their health increased trust in the doctor, adherence to treatment and understanding of the disease. Parents agreed that it was favorable to include children in this process. Children wanted to be included with their opinions, doubts, and authorization. All participants agreed to consider the child’s opinion when making decisions, as well as to try to reconcile when disagreements arise. Conclusions: children and their parents prefer that the pediatric patient be included both in discussions with their doctors and in decision-making about their health.