title: An emerging field of research: challenges in pediatric decision making.
abstract: There is growing interest in pediatric decision science, spurred by policies advocating for children's involvement in medical decision making. Challenges specific to pediatric decision research include the dynamic nature of child participation in decisions due to the growth and development of children, the family context of all pediatric decisions, and the measurement of preferences and outcomes that may inform decision making in the pediatric setting. The objectives of this article are to describe each of these challenges, to provide decision researchers with insight into pediatric decision making, and to establish a blueprint for future research that will contribute to high-quality pediatric medical decision making. Much work has been done to address gaps in pediatric decision science, but substantial work remains. Understanding and addressing the challenges that exist in pediatric decision making may foster medical decision-making science across the age spectrum.
authors.affiliation: Division of Adolescent and Transition Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (EAL)|James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (EAL, WBB)|Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (EAL, WBB)
authors.forename: Ellen A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lipstein
authors.affiliation: James M. Anderson Center for Health Systems Excellence, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (EAL, WBB)|Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH (EAL, WBB)|Division of General and Community Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH (WBB)
authors.forename: William B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Brinkman
authors.affiliation: Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness and Policy Laboratory, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (AGF)|Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania (AGF, VAM)
authors.forename: Alexander G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Fiks
authors.affiliation: Children's Health Services Research, Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN (KSH)
authors.forename: Kristin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Hendrix
authors.affiliation: University of Saskatchewan College of Nursing, Saskatoon, Canada (JK)
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kryworuchko
authors.affiliation: Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania (AGF, VAM)|Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA (VAM)
authors.forename: Victoria A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit, Division of General Pediatrics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI (LAP)|Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Michigan School of Public Health Ann Arbor, MI (LAP)
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Prosser
authors.affiliation: Program of Child Health Evaluative Sciences, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (WJU)|Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada (WJU)
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Ungar
authors.affiliation: Section of General Academic Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO (DF)|Children's Outcomes Research, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO (DF)
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010358:Patient Participation; D057240:Patient Preference; D010372:Pediatrics; D012106:Research
keywords: decision psychology; family-centered care; patient decision making; pediatrics