The importance of applying the statement of assent to children and adolescents: a qualitative study.
Cristiane da Silva Varejão, Fátima H do Espírito Santo, Maria de Nazaré de Souza Ribeiro
PMID 36264695WHAT IT FOUND
Children aged 6-12 wanted a parent present and signed assent; eight of nine teens took it home and signed later.
Age-specific words, pictures, and repeated explanations were used; children asked about pain, group assignment, and withdrawal.
Key findings
01Younger children wanted their responsible person nearby and were told their own permission was essential.
02Adolescents were more reticent: only one signed after the first explanation, while eight took the assent form home and returned it signed.
03Younger children asked most about pain, while adolescents asked most about study steps.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 17 children and adolescents from one chemotherapy center, so it describes this group rather than all pediatric patients. The observations were made by the nurse who explained the assent statement, and the paper does not report how much other staff may have influenced what was said. The paper reports children's reactions and questions, not whether the assent statement improved understanding, safety, or health outcomes. The assent statement was tied to one laser acupuncture trial, so its wording, pictures, and process may not transfer to other studies or clinical settings.
Declared interests
No funding or conflict-of-interest declaration is reported.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as proof that age-specific assent forms improve understanding or care. It describes how 17 children and adolescents reacted in one study, and it did not compare the assent process with any other approach.