755 Non-Therapeutic Interventional Research in Paediatric Trauma: What Do Parents Think?

Abstract

Background: Emergency research in children in general is limited due to lack of robust informed consenting at such an emotional time for parents and families. These issues get even more magnified should such research involve non-therapeutic interventions particularly in the context of paediatric trauma. Aim: To survey the voluntary opinion of parents about consenting for non-therapeutic interventional research in paediatric trauma. Materials and Methods: We approached the parents of children seeking children's services at Barts and the London Children's Hospital, London to give voluntary opinion for retrospective consent for emergency blood tests studying early coagulation defects in children following trauma via a questionnaire. Results: 66 parents agreed to give voluntary opinion and answered the questionnaire. 63 (95%) parents were extremely supportive of the research project. Majority of the parents wondered why a research project to study these issues was not done yet. A few parents opined that they would support the research as long as essential emergency treatment is not compromised and consent is sought at the earliest suitable opportunity. Three (5%) parents were unable to support the delayed consent issues since they felt it is too emotional a time to consider research. Conclusions: Majority of the parents are willing for their children to take part in non-therapeutic interventional study despite the limitations of retrospective consenting in paediatric trauma.