The child's rights as a medical patient

As child rights advocates we must concern ourselves with whether the medical care which children receive is administered in such a way that it infringes upon their other rights. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child gives us a clear perspective of medical care as only one aspect of care which may promote the overall goal of the development of the child as a dignified and worthwhile human being. This paper concerns itself with the rights of children to receive medical care which is administered in ways least likely to be psychologically damaging to them, and emphasizes the need for specially trained staff to help in giving such care. A bill of rights for children in medical care settings which addresses their psychological needs is presented.