The Child’s Right to Consent to X-Ray and Imaging Investigations: Issues of Restraint and Immobilization from a Multidisciplinary Perspective

Abstract

Children’s rights in healthcare are determined by law but strongly influenced by Piagetian theory and the related personal attitudes of healthcare professionals. While a greater priority has been given to children’s rights throughthe United Nations Convention and in the United Kingdom by means of particular legislation, this does not necessarily translate into child-centred practice. The restraint and immobilization of children are significant issues for health professionals who care for children. This paper argues that professional guidance and healthcare law are ambiguous in this regard, failing to offer direct, objective guidance to the personnel involved. A further degree of complexity is added, if when considering the child’s wishes, they differ from those of their parents. It is recommended that an effective resolution of these issues and their consequences demands that healthcare professionals familiarize themselves with the legal and ethical implications of restraining or immobilizing children, and develop a systematic approach to this aspect of practice.