Background: Recently, awareness of children’s decision making has increased in an effort to enhance palliative care. However, the conceptual framework for decision making among children with cancer remains unclear. Aims: We clarified the decision-making process of children with cancer regarding their care, treatment, and support from family and health care professionals, and identified their needs and preferences. Design: We used metaethnography to conduct a metasynthesis of relevant studies. Data sources: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, and CINAHL. This report was prepared in accordance with the PRISMA statement. Results: Of the 7,237 retrieved studies, 27 met our inclusion criteria. Four themes emerged that reflected the decision-making process of children with cancer: (a) facing changes brought about by a health threat, (b) preparing for action, (c) asserting one’s choice, and (d) internal and external influences. Conclusion: Children with cancer initially undergo a decision-making process. Respecting children’s preferences, values, and emotions may help build trusting relationships and promote their decision-making capability. Future research should focus on children’s emotions, cognition, development, and interactions with parents and health care professionals.

中文翻译：

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支持癌症儿童的决策：元综合

背景：最近，为了加强姑息治疗，人们对儿童决策的认识有所提高。然而，癌症儿童决策的概念框架仍不清楚。目标：我们阐明了癌症儿童在护理、治疗以及家庭和医疗保健专业人员支持方面的决策过程，并确定了他们的需求和偏好。设计：我们使用元人种学对相关研究进行元综合。数据来源：我们搜索了 PubMed、EMBASE、PsycINFO、MEDLINE 和 CINAHL。本报告是根据 PRISMA 声明编写的。结果：在检索到的 7,237 项研究中，27 项符合我们的纳入标准。出现了四个反映癌症儿童决策过程的主题：(a) 面临健康威胁带来的变化，(b) 准备行动，(c) 坚持自己的选择，以及 (d) 内部和外部影响。结论：癌症儿童最初要经历一个决策过程。尊重儿童的偏好、价值观和情感可能有助于建立信任关系并提高他们的决策能力。未来的研究应侧重于儿童的情绪、认知、发展以及与父母和医疗保健专业人员的互动。