Children's and young people's experiences of expressing their views and having them heard in health care: A deductive qualitative content analysis

Abstract

Aim: To gain an understanding of children's experiences of expressing their views and having them heard in Australian healthcare settings.

Design: Child-centred qualitative research. A deductive qualitative content analysis was undertaken.

Methods: Data were collected from 20 Australian children and young people between the ages of 7 and 18 years old using the 'draw, write and tell' method.

Results: Children's experiences of 'space' and 'voice', and therefore the opportunity to express their views in health care were, in the main, positive. At the same time, their experiences of 'audience' and 'influence', the situations in which those views are given due weight, were overwhelmingly described as negative.

Conclusion: Australian paediatric health services appear to have responded to calls to provide children with the opportunity to express their views and thus are delivering on the elements of 'space' and 'voice', whereas the realisation of 'audience' and 'influence' has some way to go. Due weight is not always given to children's views.

Implications for the profession and/or patient care: The Lundy model can be used to facilitate a better understanding of the concept of voice, and the responsibility of health organisations in implementing the rights of children and young people, as articulated in Article 12.

Impact: Children and young people have a right to express their views and have them heard in health care, but their experiences in Australian health care are unknown. While children's experiences of expressing their views in health care were mostly positive, their views are not always taken seriously or given due weight. This research impacts child health professionals in Australia and internationally.

Reporting method: The study is reported using the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR).

Patient or public contribution: Members of the Youth Advisory Council of two tertiary children's hospitals were consulted and invited to become members of the research team.

Keywords: Article 12; child-centred qualitative research; children's rights; children's voices; deductive qualitative content analysis.