Well, Dr. Purvis offers some excellent suggestions for maximizing doctor-patient communication when dealing with children. Since there is usually some form of consent to treat children, the first and most important variable is the parent. Considering the parent is important to the extent that it is he who takes care of the child and communicates his needs to him. (Nova, Vegni, & Moja, 2005) In this case, depending on the child's cognitive stage and abilities, it is probably best to engage in as much communication with the child as possible. Cognitively, this is an important aspect to consider. Does the child have cognitive or behavioral problems that prevent the transmission of information? Children's understanding of pain, the body and illness differs greatly from adults and there are many variables to consider during treatment. Tools Dr. Purvis Found Helpful