Study on the Respect for the Principle of Autonomy Concerning Children and/or Adolescents under Experimental Oncology Treatment through a Term of Informed Consent

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the respect for the principle of autonomy concerning children and/or adolescents under experimental oncology treatment by obtaining Informed Consent, for research purposes, through an exploratory and qualitative study case. The data were obtained through thematic interviews and interpreted by clue analyses. Three children, an adolescent, four researchers and four mothers were interviewed. The results showed that children and/or adolescents’ autonomy, even if relative, is not taken into consideration, which may be understood when the informed consent is not signed, since parents and researchers believe these children and/or adolescents are not able to understand the risks and benefits of the research. From this perspective, the parents’ decision to allow the children and/or adolescents to participate in this experimental treatment was based on the hope of their children’s cure and that is why they signed the informed consent. Neither researchers nor parents talked to the children and/or adolescents about the treatment proposed. Decisions on health during childhood and adolescence periods depend on adults; however, this group was considered competent and able to decide on routine situations in family. On the other hand, the children and/or adolescents were aware of their health conditions and of the research/treatment’s possible lack of benefits, considering they have witnessed the deaths of other children, who underwent the same treatment in the ward.