Children can participate in end-of-life decisions Dr. Pamela S. Hinds from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee Hinds and colleagues interviewed 20 young patients and their parents and doctors about their preferences and the factors that influenced their decisions. All but two of the patients remembered the choices they had been given, the authors report, and all but two patients felt good or very good about their decision. The main factors they considered in making their decision were thinking about their relationships with others, avoiding adverse events, wanting no more, being ready to die and go to heaven, and believing a cure to be futile at this point. In making their decisions, the report in the Journal of Clinical Oncology indicates, the patients found it helpful that the healthcare team explained everything, answered their questions and gave them time to think, told them how other patients had done, and assured them they would be there for them. Original source: Reuters Health, 10/05 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.