The decision making process in a pediatric patient with Leukemia: ethical issues in Chilean case

Abstract

Leukemia accounts for about one third of cases of childhood cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (A.L.L) being the most common type.1 From the time of diagnosis of A.L.L in pediatric patients various decisions should be taken throughout the disease process. The law states that parents should decide on the health care of their child, because as children they have no legal ability to choose. However a common practice today is that pediatric patients participate in decision-making regarding their health care.2 The level of participation of children and adolescents is determined by age, cognitive development and previous experience.3