Family Patterns of Decision-Making in Pediatric Clinical Trials.
Snethen, Julia A. 1,*; Broome, Marion E. 2,+; Knafl, Kathleen 3,++; Deatrick, Janet A. 4,[P]; Angst, Denise B. 5,[//]
[Miscellaneous]
Research in Nursing & Health.
29(3):223-232, June 2006.
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colon; The decision-making process related to a child's participation in clinical trials often involves multiple family members. The aim of this study was to compare family patterns of decision-making within and across family units in pediatric clinical trials. Participants for this secondary analysis included 14 families from a larger study of informed consent. Four distinct patterns of decision-making were identified: Exclusionary, informative, collaborative, and delegated. These patterns varied with regard to three dimensions of parents' decision-making goals, child level of involvement, and the parental role. These patterns of decision-making affect how parents and children communicate with health professionals and influence the effectiveness of health care providers interactions with the family related to the decision-making process.
Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.