How do children and parents shape clinical practice? How can clinicians learn from the impact of their patients upon them? How do we recognise if health care practices are adversely affecting health care?

Children's health problems can place enormous strain on both children and their families. Whether symptoms are acute or chronic, assessment and treatment can be confusing and frightening even when the illness itself is not dangerous. Understanding the impact of illness on emotions, relationships and development is an essential part of providing good health care services. For health...