Empowering young voices: navigating the complexities of minors in healthcare decisions.

The article discusses the complexities of involving minors in healthcare decisions, emphasizing the need to balance autonomy with welfare interests and parental involvement. It highlights the ethical, legal, psychological, medical, cultural, and societal factors that influence decision-making for minors. The legal frameworks vary across European countries, with some countries defining autonomy based on age limits and others considering the patient's level of maturity or competence. The article acknowledges the challenges faced by physicians in assessing a minor's maturity and navigating different legal age limits for specific medical matters. It concludes by emphasizing the importance of communication, age-appropriate tools, and understanding legal complexities to foster collaboration between minors, families, and healthcare providers. [Extracted from the article]