For guardians – assessing a minor’s decision-making ability

At Aava, we assess the decision-making ability of minors, which determines the visibility of a minor’s information to their guardian in MyKanta. 

What is this about? 

If a minor patient owing to their age and level of development can decide on the treatment given to them, they have to be cared in mutual understanding with them. In this case, they also have the right to prohibit the disclosure of information concerning their health and treatment to their guardian (sections 7 and 9 of the Act on the Status and Rights of Patients). 

How is this reflected into Aava’s operations? 

Aava’s health care professional assesses the minor’s ability to decide on matters related to their treatment. The assessment is carried out in mutual understanding with the minor separately at each appointment. 

As a guardian, you can view your underage child’s data in MyKanta, unless the minor has been deemed capable of making decisions and has prohibited the disclosure of the data. 

Frequently asked questions about assessing a minor’s decision-making ability

Can a minor prohibit the disclosure of their treatment information to their guardian in MyKanta? 

Aava’s health care professional assesses the minor’s ability to decide on matters related to their treatment in connection with each appointment.

Minors who are deemed capable of making decisions may prohibit the disclosure of their treatment information to their guardian. 

If the minor is not deemed capable of deciding on their treatment, the guardians are responsible for their child and thus have the right to make decisions regarding the child’s treatment until the child is able to do so themselves. 

If the minor has prohibited the disclosure of their information to their guardians, what information will the guardian be unable to access? 

When a health care professional has assessed that the minor can decide on their own treatment and the minor wishes to prohibit the disclosure of the information to their guardian, the guardian will not be able to view the information related to the child’s appointment or treatment period in MyKanta. 

At what age can a minor prohibit the disclosure of their information? 

The age limit for a minor’s ability to make decisions is not specified in legislation. A health care professional assesses the decision-making ability for each appointment and matter separately. The assessment may change between appointments. 

How is a minor’s decision-making ability assessed at an appointment? 

When a minor arrives for an appointment at Aava, a health care professional will assess whether the minor is able to decide on their treatment based on their age and maturity level. The assessment is carried out in mutual understanding with the minor. 

If the professional decides that the minor is capable of making decisions, they will ask the minor if the guardians are allowed to see information related to the appointment or treatment period. 

How old must a minor be to use the services of Aava independently? 

There is no age limit.  

If a health care professional assesses that the minor is unable to decide on their treatment, the health care professional is obligated to contact the guardian in connection with the appointment. 

If the minor has online banking credentials or a mobile ID, they can book an appointment on our website or log in to the Oma Aava service and view their appointment details there. The same applies to MyKanta. Our electronic service channels require strong authentication. 

You can also book an appointment by calling our customer service on +358 (0)10 380 3838. 

Why can’t I see all the entries about my child aged 10–17 in MyKanta? 

Guardians will not be able to view entries made before 1 December 2022 in MyKanta. This is due to the fact that older entries do not include the required information on the minor’s ability to make decisions.

If necessary, the guardian can request previous entries in writing from Aava. Learn more about the checking and release of patient records.

The decision-making ability is not assessed retrospectively. 

Information about appointments after 1 December 2022 will not be visible to the guardian if the minor has been deemed capable of making decisions and has refused to disclose the information. 

You can read more about the processing of personal data in our privacy statements.