User Panel
Posted: 5/25/2017 8:41:48 AM EDT
My wife (an ER doc) wrote this small article about Doctors asking questions about gun ownership and wanted to get feed back. What do you guys think?
Docs versus Glocks Movement? Gun-safety counseling is seen by some as a legal obligation on the part of most primary care physicians, however, most gun owners do not feel that this is an appropriate routine medical question. In 2011 the state of Florida passed the Florida Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act, which prohibited physicians from asking patients about whether they owned a gun, under routine circumstances. If the question became clinically relevant, such as in a suicidal or homicidal patient, then it was acceptable. Many physicians argue that they bring up the subject of firearms during a routine visit for the sake of discussing safe storage and other ownership practices. However, others see the gun control movement as the motivating reason for the questioning. The Florida law states "a healthcare practitioner “...shall respect a patient's right to privacy and should refrain from making a written inquiry or asking questions concerning the ownership of a firearm” Earlier this year the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals overturned some of the provisions of the Florida’s Firearm Owners’ Privacy Act, and it is now no longer illegal for the health care provider to ask and educate patients and further document about firearm discussions. Do most patients find this acceptable? Are these measures beyond the scope of medical practice? The answer depends on who you ask of course. While the right to have the firearm discussion is protected by the first amendment, we must learn a way to do it that is not judgmental and in a way that respects others point of view. It is also important to keep in mind that physicians are not trying to confiscate the patient’s firearms and not every physician is against owning a firearm. As a matter of fact there are a few of us that while we believe in prevention of gun related injuries still love our weapons. |
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Doctors arent qualified to discuss firearms safety and or storage methods
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I think it is immoral and unethical when using the excuse "to prevent injury". I have never had a doctor ask, but I would not be happy with this type of interrigatory intrusion.
If it were about safety, why don't they ask if I wear my seatbelt? Play with matches? Skydive? The answer is that it has nothing to do with safety, it is all about control, and any doc who says otherwise is complicit. <---- (thats a period). |
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I told her to expect this exact response. I haven't ever been asked personally but wouldn't answer if asked.
She's going to show a large group of Docs the same article to see how many of them actually want to, or do, ask gun related questions. |
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My doctor hunts and fishes. About all we talk about in between cough and bend over.
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My Dr. Asked me once. I politely told him it was none of his business and had nothing to do with why I was there.
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So if I ask my Doctor how to the set the headspace and timing on my M2 he can tell me? I need to ask and then record his answer......
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Doctors arent qualified to discuss firearms safety and or storage methods View Quote As a surgeon, most of my gun questions involve where to shoot & favorite reloading recipes. I also don't ask about sex/monogamy/extramarital II sues, drugs unless germane, seat belts etc |
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The only correct answer is "no." That's what I always say. It ends the gun issue right there and we can go on with the actual medical issue.
The only people who get pissed about this issue is gun owners. So if you answer "None of your business," or "that's irrelevant," or simply refuse to answer, they know that means "yes." That's why the only correct answer is "no." |
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Do they ask about chainsaws and flamethrowers? If I've correctly torqued my lawnmower blade? Should doctors inquire about high risk sports or excessive speeding? Whether or not I've properly fenced in my backyard pool?
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Nothing at my last visit about guns. Did get a weird question - "do you feel safe today?"
Fucking weird as shit. Feel safe? |
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lol pediatricians are worse than GPs. i remember in med school a prof went on an anti gun tirade. i looked around, read the room, and identified the second most intense stank face. we are still friends decades later.
if they really cared about preventable senseless deaths they would outlaw swimming pools. 1) a pool is not a constitutional right 2) a pool has never prevented a crime 3) you could actually enforce a ban on pools, you can see them from the air. |
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I told her to expect this exact response. I haven't ever been asked personally but wouldn't answer if asked. She's going to show a large group of Docs the same article to see how many of them actually want to, or do, ask gun related questions. View Quote If they're asking the question, but not following up appropriately...I'd call it malpractice.....(and I'm a Podiatrist). |
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Lie?
Or simply state obvious retorical answers. "Patient, do you own any guns?" "Doc, Guns are dangerous. Those things can kill people" which is true, but may not be why you own guns and they are safe in your hands. "Yes, patient, but do you own any guns?" "Doc, Why would I have a dangerous killing machine in my home, that's ridiculous??!!" Which is true, you don't have a dangerous killing machine in your home. You have an inanimate object that with due care will propel a projectile very accurately into an acceptable target at a known distance. It's not a killing machine. |
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The only doctor I've ever discussed firearms with is my eye doctor, who is a gun nut like me. Never had any weapons discussion with any other medical professional. They don't bring it up and neither do I. My eye doc only knew because he heard me mention something about my gun shop.
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lol pediatricians are worse than GPs... View Quote She was pretty surprised when I told her almost no one would answer those questions truthfully. She has read several articles that claim patients don't mind answering gun related questions. I laughed. |
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I would say she should then follow up with how many of those that ask are qualified (by training and/or experience) to discuss proper firearms safety (handling, storage), or have a program they can refer the patients to to get instructions on the same. If they're asking the question, but not following up appropriately...I'd call it malpractice.....(and I'm a Podiatrist). View Quote |
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Lie? Or simply state obvious retorical answers. "Doc, Guns are dangerous. Those things can kill people" which is true, but may not be why you own guns and they are safe in your hands. "Yes, patient, but do you own any guns?" "Doc, Why would I have a dangerous killing machine in my home, that's ridiculous??!!" Which is true, you don't have a dangerous killing machine in your home. You have an inanimate object that with due care will propel a projectile very accurately into an acceptable target at a known distance. It's not a killing machine. View Quote And inanimate objects don't kill people. |
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I think it is immoral and unethical when using the excuse "to prevent injury". I have never had a doctor ask, but I would not be happy with this type of interrigatory intrusion. If it were about safety, why don't they ask if I wear my seatbelt? Play with matches? Skydive? The answer is that it has nothing to do with safety, it is all about control, and any doc who says otherwise is complicit. <---- (thats a period). View Quote |
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Simply ask them how many of their patients have died because of "medical misadventures". Medical Misadventures kill more people annually than do firearms.
"It's a chilling reality – one often overlooked in annual mortality statistics: Preventable medical errors persist as the No. 3 killer in the U.S. – third only to heart disease and cancer – claiming the lives of some 400,000 people each year. At a Senate hearing Thursday, patient safety officials put their best ideas forward on how to solve the crisis, with IT often at the center of discussions. Hearing members, who spoke before the Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging, not only underscored the devastating loss of human life – more than 1,000 people each day – but also called attention to the fact that these medical errors cost the nation a colossal $1 trillion each year." Medical Misadventures Hit Record Heights |
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Taught my daughter, who sees a doctor several times a year, to answer the gun question "guns are icky" and repeat it if they ask again.
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lol pediatricians are worse than GPs. i remember in med school a prof went on an anti gun tirade. i looked around, read the room, and identified the second most intense stank face. we are still friends decades later. if they really cared about preventable senseless deaths they would outlaw swimming pools. 1) a pool is not a constitutional right 2) a pool has never prevented a crime 3) you could actually enforce a ban on pools, you can see them from the air. View Quote You guys have no idea what sort of basic teaching some people need. |
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I would say she should then follow up with how many of those that ask are qualified (by training and/or experience) to discuss proper firearms safety (handling, storage), or have a program they can refer the patients to to get instructions on the same. If they're asking the question, but not following up appropriately...I'd call it malpractice.....(and I'm a Podiatrist). View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I told her to expect this exact response. I haven't ever been asked personally but wouldn't answer if asked. She's going to show a large group of Docs the same article to see how many of them actually want to, or do, ask gun related questions. If they're asking the question, but not following up appropriately...I'd call it malpractice.....(and I'm a Podiatrist). |
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It's none of their damn business, and I won't mind telling them so if I'm ever asked.
Also that whole to prevent injury bull shit... the whole to protect me from myself, yeah that shits past due being shut down. My safety and that of my family is my and my wife's responsibility and no one else's! |
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If I was a gun owner doc, I'd say I've probably killed a lot fewer people than you have. Go back for more refresher courses doc, so you don't kill me.
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Those answers scream "yes." And inanimate objects don't kill people. View Quote many, many doctors are extremely over burdened with this kind of crap forced upon them by some know nothing political hacks trying to control everything. Doctors just want to herd as many patients through their waiting rooms to make as much money as they can so that they can pay their high overhead costs including outrageous malpractice insurance so that they can help and heal people as best they can. Yes, a few are true believers in gun control and some would even entertain the thought of banning all guns. But not from a political perspective but from a misguided idea that banning inanimate objects would some how be some sort of a panacea. Just lie to them, they'll check the box that they asked, and get the fuck out of their office so they can see the next patient. |
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It was mentioned during an "educational" meeting before my sons were released from the NICU a week after being born. I believe it was a social worker who brought it up and she was pretty cool about it. Mentioned a couple of products and methods that allowed safe storage and easy authorized access. Brought up the point that having a gun in the home was a risk assessment decision and for at least a few years we'd have to consider that with a variety of common household items. Actually, she was more worried about my table saw and our dog. I didn't find it overbearing or intrusive and I could see where quite a few of the new parents in the NICU were so blazing stupid they wouldn't even consider not leaving their meth on the coffee table.
My regular doctor is pretty sure I've got guns because a couple of times I've had to visit his office in uniform. That really throws off the whole stepping on the scales thing. |
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I have my flame retardant suit on, but when I do pediatric exams I always say "firearms should be stored where your child can't get them or have some sort of lock" as well as discussing child/booster seats, seatbelts, and medicine cabinets. I almost always get a "all the guns are locked up"
In my opinion, it is similar to telling an adult they need a colonoscopy or PSA or lipid screen and lose some weight. What is most likely to kill or harm you "tomorrow" that we can address and prevent today. I never ask "do you have any guns?" |
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So you are therefore letting them know you have guns and are emotionally unstable. Just calmly say no. It's not a which hunt. It's for insurance purposes View Quote |
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Not the point and I don't like lying. I'm not saying I'd be a raging asshole. But I'd make my position clear, that I think asking such a question is inappropriate and none of their business. Now if they want to ask something like "If you have any firearms in your house, are they stored safely?" I'm okay with that, so long as you don't try to define what's safe. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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So you are therefore letting them know you have guns and are emotionally unstable. Just calmly say no. It's not a which hunt. It's for insurance purposes Now if they want to ask something like "If you have any firearms in your house, are they stored safely?" I'm okay with that, so long as you don't try to define what's safe. Per your edit after I quoted Asking if you owns guns just prefaces the question you said is ok. If the answer to the question is no than I can move on to things like plastic bags not being suitable play toys for infants |
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I've been asked by 2 separate pediatricians during routine checkups with my kids. I had no problem telling them that I do own firearms and keep them secured. Shockingly, I didn't get any visits from government agents or black helicopters.
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I guess you'll know who to blame when the FEMA train comes View Quote So not fighting this kind of questioning by a healthcare provider is the answer? IMO saying 'none of your business' is not saying yes. And if they can otherwise prove that I do have them, they can do that no matter what I say. |
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The wife did say it was a pretty normal question for pediatricians to ask for "education" purposes. She was pretty surprised when I told her almost no one would answer those questions truthfully. She has read several articles that claim patients don't mind answering gun related questions. I laughed. View Quote 15 or 20 years ago, my daughter's pediatrician asked the "do you own guns?" question while going down the list of questions on that form. From her tone, body language, and expression, she was saying "yeah, this is stupid, but it's on the form and they want me to fill it out" as she asked the question. I had already read (on talk.politics.guns or rec.guns) about pediatricians doing this, and I was actually a little surprised I hadn't already encountered the question. I replied "yes, and they are stored where she can't get to them." The pediatrician gave an exaggerated nod, marked the next question, and went on with the other questions, never bringing up guns again. I was probably in the minority of gun owners that didn't 1) lie, or 2) get really bent out of shape over being asked. A couple years later, she opened her own clinic. A few years after that, I was mildly amused that a pediatrician she had brought into her clinic had the same last name as one of the big name companies in the firearms industry. |
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My wife always asks when shes doing her initial mental health screening. Suicide is a definite issue with her patient population. I'd say maybe a third of them are working on a contingency plan in case they need to call it quits during the course of their illnesses. It's a real issue that needs real discussion in many cases.
She had one patient that had an enormous collection worth many thousands of dollars. All good stuff from the 50's and 60's. He was rapidly failing and it turned out they were one of the major stresses in his life. She worked with him to come up with a plan to sell them off without having to deal with the low ballers and criminals. The FFL that is doing the sale on a consignment basis is working it so that he receives a monthly check rather than a dump of cash that relatives will just swoop in and steal. If she hadn't asked she would have never known about this issue. He kept a .45 for all the right reasons. |
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Those answers scream "yes." And inanimate objects don't kill people. Just lie to them.. |
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The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. -Edmund Burke So not fighting this kind of questioning by a healthcare provider is the answer? IMO saying 'none of your business' is not saying yes. And if they can otherwise prove that I do have them, they can do that no matter what I say. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
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I guess you'll know who to blame when the FEMA train comes So not fighting this kind of questioning by a healthcare provider is the answer? IMO saying 'none of your business' is not saying yes. And if they can otherwise prove that I do have them, they can do that no matter what I say. |
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