Advocate for children receiving medical care: A study on pediatric care and children’s rights

Abstract

Background: Advocacy for children is an essential part of pediatric medical practice. The rights of children receiving medical care should be protected while accommodating each individual’s attributes. The current study aimed to identify the policies and practices on medical care and children’s rights based on a survey conducted at 907 hospitals and clinics in 2016 by the Kanto Bar Association.

Methods: The survey results were analyzed with the approval of the Kanto Bar Association. This research focused on the rights of children receiving medical care to make their own decisions and psychosocial factors involved in medical practice.

Results: Explanation was actively provided to children receiving medical care. Moreover, support was found to be important in providing children with easy-to-understand explanations, assuring that consent was obtained from children, and assessing psychosocial factors affecting decision-making. Improving the physical and human environment can promote and enable the voluntary participation of children. That is, information about the right to voluntary participation among children should be disseminated, medical staffs must be educated, medical fees should be evaluated, and professionals must be trained.

Conclusions: This study recommends to protect the personal integrity and dignity of children receiving medical care by respecting them as individuals and ensuring their right to express opinion and self-determination.