Informed consent and adolescents

Objective: To explore the doctrine of informed consent and the development of capacity in adolescents with psychiatric problems to help clinicians better reflect on the relevant ethical issues. Method: We discuss the relevant literature and explore the role of psychiatric impairment in adolescents' ability to consent. Results: In common law, there is no minimum age at which individuals are able to consent to medical treatment and no age below which they are unable to consent. Adolescents' right to self-determination is based on their ability to understand and appreciate the information relevant to the medical decision and on their ability to consent voluntarily and freely. There is a consensus in the literature that, around age 14 years, adolescents have the cognitive ability to understand information necessary for consent. However, there are limited empirical data regarding adolescents' ability to appreciate the information and to make a voluntary decision. Conclusion: Clinicians need to involve adolescents in the consent process to the extent possible and assess the elements of capacity to consent to treatment on an individual case basis, recognizing that capacity may evolve as adolescents' cognitive capacities and values mature.