As a practitioner providing online therapy services to schools, you know the importance of obtaining assent from pre-adolescent children for participation in research. But have you ever wondered how to do it effectively? A recent scoping review titled Operationalization of assent for research participation in pre-adolescent children: a scoping review provides valuable insights that can help you improve your skills in this crucial area.
Why is Assent Important?
Assent is not just a formality; it’s an ethical imperative. Respecting the rights of children and ensuring their active participation in decisions affecting them is vital. This review underscores the variability and challenges in obtaining pediatric assent, highlighting the need for a more standardized approach.
Key Findings from the Review
The review analyzed 116 articles, revealing significant variation in the criteria and methods used for obtaining assent. Here are some key takeaways:
- Age Criteria: The minimal age for obtaining assent varied widely, ranging from 5 to 13 years, with a median age of 7.5 years.
- Cognitive Ability: Only 5.1% of studies considered cognitive ability as a criterion for obtaining assent.
- Assent Rates: Assent rates were reported in only 17.7% of studies, ranging from 32% to 100%.
- Information Delivery: The methods for delivering information to children were inconsistent, with many studies not specifying how information was provided.
Practical Tips for Practitioners
Based on these findings, here are some practical tips to help you improve your assent process:
- Standardize Age Criteria: While age is a common criterion, consider setting a standardized age range for your practice. Ensure it aligns with your jurisdiction's guidelines.
- Assess Cognitive Ability: Go beyond age and assess the cognitive ability of each child. This can help ensure that the child truly understands the research they are participating in.
- Document Assent Rates: Keep detailed records of assent rates and the reasons for any refusals. This data can help you refine your process and address any issues.
- Consistent Information Delivery: Develop a standardized method for delivering information to children. Use age-appropriate language and consider using visual aids or interactive tools.
Encouraging Further Research
The review also highlights the need for further research to develop common guidelines for pediatric assent. As a practitioner, you can contribute to this field by documenting your experiences and sharing them with the broader community. Collaboration with researchers can help create more effective and standardized assent processes.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Operationalization of assent for research participation in pre-adolescent children: a scoping review.
