Forbes: "Why Doctors Should Not Ask Their Patients About Guns"

[psh]

I am a physician, gun owner, and an advocate of the 2nd Amendment. I hope THR readers enjoy this piece of mine which appeared in today's Forbes.com:

Forbes: "Why Doctors Should Not Ask Their Patients About Guns" (1/22/2013)

(Please feel free to forward this onto anyone who might be interested. Thanks! --Paul Hsieh, MD)

 

[Artigas]

Good article. What have you heard from other doctors regarding this subject?

 

[Texan Scott]

Sensibly and articulately presented. Good read, thank you.

 

[philobeddoe]

nice work

 

[RTR_RTR]

Good article, Dr. Hsieh.

I do think that the title of your article doesn't accurately represent the messages conveyed within (I disagree with your title but agree with the majority of your actual article). The disagreement within the article though depends on how you define routine. I think, besides suspected suicidal/homicidal thoughts, a good indication for asking about firearms (as well as pools, automobiles, electric outlets, tools, cleaning supplies, etc.) would include any instance of new contact with children (new parents, new grandparents, whatever). I agree that there is no need to document possession of any of these things beyond a generic "discussed safe practices."

-Naive medical student

 

[CLP]

There are situations when it's more than appropriate to ask. Like the med student mentioned- SI, HI, or if someone appears manic/psychotic. It's the standard of care in those situations. To routinely ask? Absolutely not. To further agree with the med student, I find it interesting how few pediatricians will ask parents about whether swimming pools are gated, if kids are using bike helmets, etc. The APA is not at all discreet about their anti-2A goals. Good article btw.

 

[psh]

Yes, excellent points RTR_RTR! If there is a specific concern about a patient, then doctors should inquire. (But then, the inquiry shouldn't be primarily about the gun but about dangers posed by any deadly implement.)

I do like the generic "discussed safe practices" record in the chart.

 

[Atbat82]

Great article. I can say I've never had a Dr ask me about gun ownership (I'm not even sure how it would come up in the course of an exam/appointment) but I don't think I'd answer. Unless to say "all my guns were lost in a tragic boating accident" (not sure who came up with that line, but I'm stealing it



Sent from my iPhone

 

[Ryanxia]

Good article.

 

[abajaj11]

Excellent article.

 

[k_dawg]

I have no problem for a doctor especially a pediatrician with a new family, to raise basic child safety concerns: barriers to pools, household chemicals, safe firearm storage, etc. If for no other reasons many new parents are overwelmed, and may even be unaware of some potential hazards.

It would be great if they had the various NRA safety pamplets, and contact information to give to the patient.

 

[NukemJim]

"What have you heard from other doctors regarding this subject?"

The majority of MDs are either anti or for strict control. Yes there are thousands that are not but there are hundreds of thousands that are. Source: many surveys of MDs and 40 years of working in hospitals with them.

 

[Twiki357]

Excellent article. You hit the main area that is of concern to me, mainly the obama care mandated central computerized data base. There is no way to know (or prevent) access by who knows who in the future.

 

[InkEd]

The answer to any doctor that does ask about should receive a polite "No." as the response.

 

[BHP FAN]

I liked the swimming pool analogy. Bathtubs as well. The bathroom in your house is many times more dangerous than your gunsafe, or it's contents, yet you never hear of ''Mothers Who Want to Ban Bathtubs''....

 

[Yoda]

Superb

 

[CLP]

I liked the swimming pool analogy. Bathtubs as well. The bathroom in your house is many times more dangerous than your gunsafe, or it's contents, yet you never hear of ''Mothers Who Want to Ban Bathtubs''....

No, but I'm sure there are plenty of children that do!

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Nice article! Thanks!

 

[wooly bugger]

Great article.

I'm a physician, gun owner, and 2nd amendment advocate. Most physicians are anti-gun, but there are plenty of exceptions.

I agree with the above posts that in case of suicidal or homicidal ideation, there is a duty to determine if the patient has the means; and that includes asking about guns in the home.

Other than that, I don't think guns should be treated any differently than any other home safety issue. If you ask about guns, then ask about the other more dangerous things around the house and give recommendations on safety. The AAP has a clear agenda, which destroys trust.

 

[Walkalong]

Excellent article

 

[Walkalong]

The majority of MDs are either anti or for strict control.

Or is it just their leadership. I would be interested in real numbers.

 

[Droid noob]

No, but I'm sure there are plenty of children that do!

Great line CLP! I just don't understand why kids hate to clean themselves.

 

[Legionnaire]

Excellent. Thank you.

 

[Ehtereon11B]

Amazing article. Good to see that the AAP doesn't speak for all doctors they cover.

 

[tekarra]

Some very good points and analogies in the article.