Ethical Considerations involved in Seeking the Views of Young People and their Parents on Medical Reports received following a Child Protection Medical Examination

摘要

The principle of professionals in partnership with parents, for the care of the child, has emerged as central to optimal care. This encompasses more openness, with movement away from a paternalistic approach by medical professionals towards the sharing of information between parents and professionals. Copying correspondence and reports to parents has evolved as part of this concept endorsed by the Department of Health (2003) in 'Good Practice guidelines: Copying letters to patients'. The NHS plan made a commitment that patients should receive a copy of clinicians' letters about them. All letters that help to improve a patient's understanding of the help and care 'They receive should be copied to them' as a right. The contents of copied letters should reflect the discussion with families and there should be no new information in the letter that might surprise or cause distress. A balance is needed between simplification for the patient's/parent's understanding and what information is required by professionals.