Obtain AI scribe consent for minor patients in Quebec
A practical workflow for Quebec clinicians seeing pediatric patients: in Quebec, a minor under 14 cannot consent alone, so the parent, guardian, or tutor must consent to the AI scribe. Patients 14 and over may consent themselves.
AI scribe consent for minor patients in Quebec
In Quebec, a minor under 14 years of age cannot consent alone: consent must come from the person having parental authority or the tutor. From 14 years of age, the patient may consent on their own. Use this workflow to obtain and document the right consent before activating an AI scribe in a pediatric visit.
Identify who consents
Under 14: the person having parental authority (parent or guardian) or the tutor must consent to the AI scribe. 14 and over: the adolescent may consent alone, like an adult patient.
Explain to parent and child
Explain to the parent or guardian what the scribe captures, its purpose, benefits, risks, and limits, as for any patient. Inform the child in age-appropriate terms even when the parent provides the consent.
Document in the chart
Record in the chart who consented, their relationship to the patient (parent, guardian, tutor), and the date. If the accompanying adult is not the holder of parental authority, do not activate the scribe until valid consent is obtained.
Refusals and turning 14
If the parent or guardian refuses or withdraws consent, do not use the scribe. Once the patient turns 14, obtain consent directly from the adolescent at the next visit and document it, since the parental consent no longer substitutes for theirs.
