Back to school: challenges and rewards of engaging young children in scientific research

摘要: The great comedian, W C Fields, is credited with the line, “Never work children or animals”, but as those of us who have spent a lifetime in field know, nothing could be further from truth when engaging medical research that relates to children. Nevertheless, embarking participating paediatric can daunting prospect for unfamiliar such activities. aim this article share some our recent experience order encourage others engage hugely worthwhile field. As now well recognised, are not small adults an additional, unique set interests and needs. Paediatricians play pivotal role facilitating research, since many parents will seek their doctor's advice regarding potential participation project. Unfortunately doctors' reluctance about patients' whether on grounds lack equipoise additional workload may entail, remains one major barriers research.1 Public trust also crucial. In much needed proceed, public needs know standards place adhered to, protect Involvement service users including decision-making, both clinical settings, has become central feature health funding policies past 15 years. Although beyond scope current article, urgent need address evidence relating children's collaboration involvement been summarised recently.2 What however doubt involving important benefit all children, provided it carried out ethical manner1 …