
Children's participation in nursing care depends on trust, information, and context
AI-summarized from the linked source. Educational brief, not medical advice.
Brief summary
A qualitative systematic review found that children's participation in nursing care was shaped by the child-nurse relationship, the child-parent-professional decision process, access to developmentally appropriate information, and the care environment.
What NurseJet pulled from the source
The review synthesized 20 qualitative studies published from 2002 through 2025. Evidence came mainly from school-aged children and adolescents, and adult dominance often limited involvement to smaller decisions.
Why this matters for nurses
Pediatric participation is more than asking a child a single question. The synthesis highlights how relationships, information, family-professional dynamics, and the environment can either support or restrict a child's voice.
Bedside takeaway
Support pediatric participation with trust, age-appropriate information, and space for the child's own expression.
Key takeaways
- Trust, familiarity, and supportive communication were linked to opportunities for children to express their views.
- Developmentally appropriate information helped children understand and engage in care.
- Nonverbal expression, play, and child-friendly environments also influenced participation experiences.
Practice implications
- Use developmentally appropriate explanations, invite verbal or nonverbal preferences when feasible, and include the child within the family-professional conversation while following the local consent and assent process.
Limitations & cautions
- Abstract-only summary. The synthesis was qualitative, and the included evidence predominantly reflected school-aged children and adolescents, with limited evidence about younger children.
- AI-summarized from the linked source. Review the original article before applying to practice.
Citations
Exact source links
Public citations are filtered to exact credible source pages. Homepage-only or invalid links stay in admin review and are not shown here.
Journal of pediatric nursing (PubMed)
Journal of pediatric nursing (PubMed). Exploring children's participation in nursing care: A qualitative systematic review.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42731542/
Professional education only


