Assessing children's and parents' opinions on salivary sampling for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Aim: This paper describes preliminary development and pilot testing of a questionnaire to assess opinions on saliva sampling for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in paediatric patients.

Background: Less distressing alternatives are needed for sampling body fluids from children and young people for TDM to obtain results that are as accurate as those attained from blood samples.

Data Sources: Two versions of a salivary sampling questionnaire were developed, one for young children and one for older children and young people and administered to two cohorts of 15 children and young people aged from eight to 19 years, and their parents. Questionnaire refinement based on feedback from the first was undertaken before administration tothe second. Data were analysed thematically.

Discussion: Where saliva sampling is a viable alternative to blood sampling, it should be offered in-clinic as well as at home to provide opportunities for direct communication with clinicians if that is the preferred option for children and young people.

Conclusion: The questionnaire has potential value for assessing preferences in clinical scenarios involving where saliva sampling may be indicated.

Implications For Future Research: Ongoing research is needed to inform item development and refinement, and to investigate questionnaire validity and psychometric performance.