Family patterns of decision-making in pediatric clinical trials.

Full Abstract

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.

Author information

Author/s: Snethen, Julia A (JA); Broome, Marion E (ME); Knafl, Kathleen (K); Deatrick, Janet A (JA); Angst, Denise B (DB);

Affiliation: College of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211, USA.

Grants: 1R01 HD36186 (Agency:NICHD NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

Journal: Research in nursing & health (Res Nurs Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Jun; vol 29 (issue 3) : pp 223-32

Dates: Created 2006/05/10; Completed 2006/06/23; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16676342, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

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