Title: Ministry of Science, Research and Technology



Objective: This study aims to investigate how trust is formed between physicians and adolescent patients with difficult-to-treat diseases and its impact on health information seeking behavior. Due to their specific age and disease conditions, adolescents have distinct patterns in their interactions with physicians and information sources, and understanding them helps improve therapeutic communication.



Research Method: The research is qualitative and based on semi-structured interviews. The statistical population includes hospitalized adolescents (12-18 years old) with difficult-to-treat diseases at Mofid Hospital, Tehran. The sampling will be purposeful and will include 10 to 15 people until the data reaches saturation. The interviews will be conducted in November 1404* and the data will be analyzed using thematic analysis and MAXQDA software.



Theoretical Framework: The research is based on socio-cognitive theories, commitment models in long-term relationships, and information-seeking patterns.



*Ethics in research and treatment of sensitive subjects: Given the vulnerability of the subjects, written informed consent is obtained from parents and verbal consent is obtained from adolescents. All information is kept confidential and the names of the individuals remain anonymous. Interviews are conducted in a safe environment and with respect for psychological peace, and will be stopped immediately if discomfort occurs. The researcher is obliged to use the data solely for scientific purposes with full respect for human dignity and without causing pressure.*

*Inclusion criteria include being a terminally ill adolescent(12-18 years old), continuous residence and commuting to the hospital, and exclusion criteria include the patient's mental and physical incapacity.*