- Parents and caregivers provide consent for their child's medical procedures, surgeries, and treatment plans.
- Informed consent involves explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives of a proposed treatment before a parent signs a legal document.
- Assent allows children to participate in medical decisions by asking for their agreement when they are old enough to understand their care.
- Healthcare providers explain the care plan and next steps to children in an age-appropriate way and encourage them to ask questions.
- The key difference is that parents provide legal consent, while children provide assent to show their understanding and agreement with the proposed care.
How Children Are Involved in Care Decisions
Involving children in medical decisions through age-appropriate explanations and assent helps them understand their care while parents provide legal consent.
Reto Baertschiger, MD, PhD, MPH
