Empowering Practitioners: Enhancing Skills through Research on Children's Competence to Consent

The capacity of children to consent to medical procedures is a crucial aspect of pediatric care, particularly in complex scenarios such as predictive genetic testing (PGT). A recent study, "Feasibility of an Assessment Tool for Children’s Competence to Consent to Predictive Genetic Testing: a Pilot Study," provides valuable insights that can help practitioners improve their skills and decision-making processes.

In this study, researchers evaluated the feasibility of using the MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T) to assess children's competence to consent to PGT. The pilot study included 17 pediatric outpatients aged between 6 and 18 years, all at risk for an autosomal dominantly inherited cardiac disease. The findings suggest that the MacCAT-T is a promising tool for standardizing competence assessment in children, with high inter-rater agreement and consistency in results compared to expert judgments.

The study found that children aged 12 and above were generally considered competent to consent to PGT, while those aged 10 and below were not. This aligns with previous research indicating similar age cutoffs for competence in clinical research settings. These findings highlight the importance of providing age-appropriate information to children to enhance their understanding and involvement in the consent process.

For practitioners, the implications of this study are significant. Here are some key takeaways:

• Use Standardized Tools: Implementing standardized assessment tools like the MacCAT-T can improve the accuracy and consistency of competence judgments.
• Age-Appropriate Communication: Tailor information to the child's developmental stage and comprehension level to ensure they understand the medical information relevant to their decision.
• Further Research: Engage in further research to explore the psychometric properties of assessment tools in larger pediatric populations and diverse clinical scenarios.

Practitioners should also be aware of the limitations of the study, including the small sample size and the variability in expert judgments. Continued research is essential to refine assessment tools and establish more precise age limits for competence to consent.

In conclusion, this study underscores the potential of the MacCAT-T in enhancing the competence assessment process for children. By adopting standardized tools and age-appropriate communication strategies, practitioners can better support children's involvement in medical decision-making, ultimately leading to improved outcomes.

To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Feasibility of an Assessment Tool for Children’s Competence to Consent to Predictive Genetic Testing: a Pilot Study.