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Motivations of children and their parents to participate in drug research: a systematic review

  • Krista Tromp
  • , C. Michel Zwaan
  • , Suzanne van de Vathorst

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

61 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Information on motivations for research participation, may enable professionals to better tailor the process of recruitment and informed consent to the perspective of parents and children. Therefore, this systematic review assesses motivating and discouraging factors for children and their parents to decide to participate in clinical drug research. Studies were identified from searches in 6 databases. Two independent reviewers screened and selected relevant articles. Results were aggregated and presented by use of qualitative metasummary. 38 studies fulfilled the selection criteria and were of sufficient quality for inclusion in the qualitative metasummary. Most mentioned motivating factors for parents were: health benefit for child, altruism, trust in research, and relation to researcher. Most mentioned motivating factors for children were: personal health benefit, altruism and increasing comfort. Fear of risks, distrust in research, logistical aspects and disruption of daily life were mentioned most by parents as discouraging factors. Burden and disruption of daily life, feeling like a “guinea pig” and fear of risks were most mentioned as discouraging factors by children. Conclusion: Paying attention to these motivating and discouraging factors of children and their parents during the recruitment and informed consent process in drug research increases the moral and instrumental value of informed consent.What is known:• This systematic review pools the existing empirical literature on motivations of minors and their parents to consent or dissent to participation in clinical drug research.• The most mentioned motivating and discouraging factors for children and their parents to consent to participation in clinical drug research are identified aggregated and presented by use of qualitative metasummary.What is new:• This information can be used to adapt the research protocol, recruitment, and informed consent/assent process to the needs of children and their parents.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)599-612
Number of pages14
JournalEuropean journal of pediatrics
Volume175
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Child
  • Clinical drug research
  • Ethics
  • Motivations
  • Parents
  • Participation

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