How to persuade a child to take a blood test

mountainofdebt

Kaz2904 wrote: »

The reason a 13 year old is able to give or decline to give consent is something called "Gillick competence". If the health professional has explained the procedure and the need and is satisfied that the person understands the reasons for the tests etc then they are capable of declining to consent.

But does a person's understanding of the tests equate to the importance of having the tests done?

So, for example, say they wanted to test Victory's son for diabetes. Now he understands why they want to do the test and perhaps what they they suspect but does he (or even is he capable ?) of understanding the implications of leaving diabetes untreated? Is he still in a position to refuse consent? (I've used diabetes as an example but it could equate to condition)

As I said before if he's old enough to refuse the test, then he needs to be able to articulate the reasons why he's refusing.

The reasons may not make much sense to me as the parent but at least I would know where he was coming from and those issues could be addressed.

Ames

All the people who are saying he shouldn't have a choice - just how do you suggest you get blood out of someone who doesn't want it to happen? Have all the staff sit on him to get to his arm? Sneak up on him with a sedative like in a film?

Treevo

Ames wrote: »

All the people who are saying he shouldn't have a choice - just how do you suggest you get blood out of someone who doesn't want it to happen? Have all the staff sit on him to get to his arm? Sneak up on him with a sedative like in a film?

Ground him and remove all privileges until he has the tests done.

It's his health and he's a child - it is not a matter up for negotiation. Though of course it will be because it's drama fodder!

dandelionclock30

If he doesnt want it done then so be it,is his body.
You have done your best as a parent for him by explaining why and taking him to the Drs. At the the end of the day its his choice and if he does have something that goes untreated then he lives with the consequences of his actions.
Leave him to it.

ailuro2

Been there, done that, had no success with a 14 yo girl refusing the HPV vaccine, she still refuses to have it, despite everyone's best attempts at rational discussion, threats of grounding, removal of all screens, bribery, waiting for her to change her mind, peer pressure, slipping in related conversations etc.

She is 14 and has made up her mind not to have it. She says since she'll never "do it" she is not at risk from the HPV virus.

If he ever complains of any symptoms that could be related to the blood tests ask him if he's absolutrely sure it's not thyroid / diabetes symptoms, he might start wondering. Tell him he can go back and have the test done whenever he likes, but that diabetes needs caught early to protect against eyesight problems etc etc you know what they all are.

aliasojo

ailuro2 wrote: »

Been there, done that, had no success with a 14 yo girl refusing the HPV vaccine, she still refuses to have it, despite everyone's best attempts at rational discussion, threats of grounding, removal of all screens, bribery, waiting for her to change her mind, peer pressure, slipping in related conversations etc.

My just about 14 year old has not had this either, but I'm not of the same opinion about it as you tbh.

I'm actually quite proud that she read up on this as much as she could and she made an informed choice after discussing it with me. She offered perfectly valid reasons why she felt she didn't want this and I could not argue with her logic.

There is no way in the world I would have used threats of grounding against her in order to get her to comply. She had a hard enough time of it with the girls in her class who obviously felt they were medical experts and took delight in telling her she was going to get cancer. Thankfully she appears to have more sense than the pack and was able to distinguish between fact and fiction.

However in the OP's son's case, it's a little different as it's more related to an 'actual' personal issue rather than a 'just in case' blanket issue. I also personally believe that there is a world of difference between taking some blood out of the body to test and injecting a vaccine into the body.

It's a tough one. You would want to acknowledge the person's ownership of their body but at the same time you need to weigh up the benefits of the test.

I think in this instance I'd be in the 'you're doing it whether you like it or not' camp. No bribery, no threats, just a plain statement of the way things were going to be. But then if I said that to daughter, she'd obey, whereas other kids would just defy. And then where do you go? I'd be happy to sit on said kid and use force but I can't see the medical staff being happy with that. :rotfl:

Hope it all works out ok Victory, no matter what happens.

kleapatra

How times change, when I had my BCG (1993/1994?) I was either 13 or 14 and really not keen on needles. So I was literally pinned down for it by 4 or 5 people. My parents just told me it was my own fault for being such a wimp! It just wasn't an option not to have it. Your parents signed a form some time before hand and there was no discussion, it was just something that had to be done and would be whether you wanted it to be done or not. To be honest I can see the sense in this, parents should make the decision based on medical advice, not a child's opinion/want.

Ettenna

Diabetes isn't diagnosed from a venous blood sample. However, inform him about the dangers of diabetic ketoacidosis - far worse than a blood test. Diabetes is diagnosed by signs and symptoms and by random finger !!!!! tests for blood sugar levels.

Ames

Ettenna wrote: »

Diabetes isn't diagnosed from a venous blood sample. However, inform him about the dangers of diabetic ketoacidosis - far worse than a blood test. Diabetes is diagnosed by signs and symptoms and by random finger !!!!! tests for blood sugar levels.

My diabetes was diagnosed purely from venous blood tests. I have no symptoms and I've never done a finger pr1ck test (apart from borrowing dad's out of curiosity before diagnosis). I had a venous blood test done which showed a bit high, then had a test done at the hospital where they took venous blood, gave me lucozade to drink then did another venous blood test, and since then I've had HBA1C tests done.

bylromarha

How about trying from the other angle?

You call him a child at age 13 (Although I suspect that word is reserved for us MSErs) - but the nurse states he is old enough to make those decisions for himself in front of him. A lot of power given to a 13 year old who is determined to say no.

I can see you've decided to leave it be for now - can I suggest that you bring it up once more - tell him you respect his decision, however there was obviously something troubling him as he wanted to go to the GP. They think the blood test is needed, and if you come to the conclusion you should have the blood test, then the phone number is there on the fridge. I or dad are very happy to come with you, but also understand you may want to do this by yourself. The bus timetable to get to the GPs is next to it. You can do this without us even knowing.

If you're willing.... it's that hard thing as a 13 year old who has been given power...you want to exercise that power, but don't quite know how.