Debate simmers over doctors asking about guns
Local doctors say they object to laws that intrude on the relationship between a physician and a patient.
“The patient-physician relationship should be a safe and even sacred relationship where the patient feels safe, feels comfortable in discussing anything they need to discuss,” said Dr. Christine Matson, the chairwoman of Eastern Virginia Medical School’s department of family and community medicine. “If there are constraints in terms of what I can ask, that also limits the doctor-patient relationship. I don’t think government ought to go there.”
Matson asks her patients about guns during their routine check-ups. She gives them a seven-page questionnaire that includes a section called “Behaviors that may put your health at risk” with questions about tobacco, alcohol, drugs and environmental toxins, among other subjects.
“Are there guns in your home?” is on page three, between “Ever forced to have sex?” and “A working smoke detector?”
Matson said the screening helps primary care doctors take an active role in promoting health and disease prevention, rather than just reacting to injuries and illnesses that already exist.
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I have an idea….
“hey doc you ever ‘asked’ to take a pay cut b/c of demcorats?”
harlekwin15 on February 10, 2013 at 10:16 PM
If my doctor really wants to talk about guns, I’ll be happy to talk about how many he has, and how they’re stored. But the term to keep in mind is “boundary violation“. Because if a doctor pries in my non-medical business, that’s what it is.
applebutter on February 10, 2013 at 10:20 PM
Texan docs I’m sure just bring up the topic of guns for comparison purposes. As I have none it never comes up. Seven page questionnaire. Hey doc: I’m probably older than you but here’s a clue: people lie on paper and blurt out the truth when asked things directly eye to eye.
Marcus on February 10, 2013 at 10:21 PM
The only sane answer for now, tomorrow, always, is “NO”, in a calm way.
If you say “Yes” you’re scroomed. Obama’care’ will no longer keep the secrets. The electronic records will end up any place, in the world.
If you say “none of your business” or anything else, they are obligated to enter “NO” but with the qualifiers you told…
Be very careful on this, and be prepared. It’s upon you.
Schadenfreude on February 10, 2013 at 10:27 PM
I talk to my dentist about guns all the time. And then we go camping in the desert twice a year and shoot all kinds of stuff.
Socratease on February 10, 2013 at 10:27 PM
Why do they think only the doctor should be asking the questions?
I think we could be asking some questions of our doctors…
“Have you ever been high or drunk during work?”
“Have you ever been accused of drinking on the job?”
“What other things have you been accused of that might affect my health care treatment?”
“Are you having relationship difficulties now with a partner?”
“Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease?”
Do you feel stress on your job?”
“Have you ever gotten angry at patients?” “Have you been accused of verbal abuse by a patient?
Now some good questions…
“Have you been accused of rape? Malpractice? Touching a patient inappropriately during an exam?”
“Do you have guns in your home?” “Sharp knives?” Do you keep a weapon in your car?”
“Have you ever been tempted to write yourself a prescription?” “Steal medications?
“Have you ever been tempted to double bill Medicare?”
“Have you been audited lately by the IRS? Would you like to be?”
JellyToast on February 10, 2013 at 10:30 PM
Who would ever even answer such a question from a doctor? I would just tell them it is none of their business.
Ellis on February 10, 2013 at 10:33 PM
When my doctor asks questions I answer them… when they’re medically relevant.
I discuss my smoking, drinking, diet and exercise. Any OTC or prescription meds (and if I had recreational drug use, that would be covered). My sex life is covered with some tact, and that’s about it aside from any new issues I have medically. Oh, and a full list of what my parents & grandparents had and/or died from.
I don’t discuss my smoke alarms, CO2 monitors, defensive weaponry in my home, or driving habits. My seat belt, airbags, or type of vehicle driven (to say see if it has crumple zones, etc.) don’t come up.
If those topics do come up; you can expect no answer. You’re here for scientifically relevant medicine… so lets have you do that.
That implies he asks annoying questions not for medical relevance, but solely to be a nuisance; as he has somehow determined being a nuisance and not medicine is his job. That isn’t someone who would be my doctor for long, if ever.
gekkobear on February 10, 2013 at 10:36 PM
Guns? No.
Firearms, yes.
I mean, it all depends on what your definition of “guns” is…and well, my biceps aren’t what they used to be.
But they still won’t get an answer….I know there is a boating accident in my future, with all my firearms aboard….*sigh*
Unless I sold them to that guy on backpage or something. Don’t recall his name or number, but he seemed like a good guy…no prison tats or anything…
ProfShadow on February 10, 2013 at 10:39 PM
I cannot wait.
tom daschle concerned on February 10, 2013 at 10:52 PM
do your job, doc….mind your damn business, do your job.
ted c on February 10, 2013 at 10:53 PM
someone’s rectum might be your business becuase you might have some expertise in rectums, yes…… gun cabinets, no.
ted c on February 10, 2013 at 10:55 PM
My doc-a woman-is pro gun. No worries.
annoyinglittletwerp on February 10, 2013 at 11:04 PM
Hey, Doc: Ever hear of Carl Rowan? Got an Achievement Award and a medal after the heat died down. Honest fellow like that would never accept such transparently false nonsense.
Uncle Pinky on February 10, 2013 at 11:12 PM
My dentist has copies of Garden and Gun magazine in the waiting room.
My docs have never asked me about our guns, but during checkups, our son’s pediatrician used to discuss with us his most recent hunting trip. It’s good to be in Texas.
juliesa on February 10, 2013 at 11:34 PM
How about: Do you wash your hands after every patient you examine?
Socratease on February 10, 2013 at 11:56 PM
These numbers are a little old, but they shouldn’t be too far off.
Physicians in the U.S: 700,000
Accidental deaths caused by physicians per year: 120,000
Accidental deaths per physician 0.171
Number of guns in the U.S. (estimated): 80,000,000
Accidental gun deaths per year (all age groups): 1,500
Accidental deaths per gun: 0.0000188
Therefore, you are 9,000 times more likely to be killed by any given doctor than by any given gun.
Socratease on February 11, 2013 at 12:07 AM
Are they also gonna ask about swimming pools? Bikes? Bathtubs? Stairs? Household chemicals? Cleaning products? Electrical outlets? Ladders? Cars?
soundingboard on February 11, 2013 at 12:36 AM
Do they ask about Swimming Pools?
Because a Swimming Pool in the back yard is 28 times more likely to kill a child accidentally than a gun in the home.
jaydee_007 on February 11, 2013 at 12:42 AM
The answer is “no.” As much as you may want to win on your principles, it will give you away to say “none of your business” or any of the other clever comebacks. The answer is “no” and leave it at that.
Jackalope on February 11, 2013 at 12:52 AM
No way am I filling out a 7 page questionnaire on anything.
Blake on February 11, 2013 at 3:16 AM
Correct me if I’m wrong, but soon, don’t they plan to merge the gun registration and medical databases anyway? This will just be another damn lie detector test.
Harbingeing on February 11, 2013 at 5:14 AM
Here’s me, thinking doctors weren’t supposed to share patient info with third parties.
Quisp on February 11, 2013 at 5:37 AM
Progressives are evil. Their agenda is evil. Their voters are the least informed bunch of imbeciles ever collected.
tom daschle concerned on February 11, 2013 at 6:42 AM
I’ll only have one question for my Dr. if she asks if I have guns in my home. “Can you recommend another Dr., because this is my last visit here”
MikeA on February 11, 2013 at 7:05 AM
Who has time for a 7 page questionnaire?
ctmom on February 11, 2013 at 7:54 AM
If a doctor has the nads to ask you if you own guns, ask him back if he’s ever been sued for malpractice.
If he tells you that’s none of your business, just say, “A-Ha!”
hawkdriver on February 11, 2013 at 8:01 AM
My dumb son. Years ago when my kids were teens we would schedule their yearly checkups together in order to save time. The doctor asked my son if there where guns in the house and he was stupid and said yes. I guess he also asked where and if they had trigger locks. When my daughter, the smarter one, was asked if there were guns without trigger locks hanging on the wall she laughed and said only the junk one that dad bought at a flea market to hang over the fireplace. The doctor later confronted me but, was dumb enough to tell me what the kids had said. I also laughed and verified what my daughter had said and he never asked them again. Why was she the smart one? We don’t have a fireplace or any junk guns bought at a flea market. I asked why she lied to the doctor. She said nobody was taking her .22 from her and that was that.
Dr. Frank Enstine on February 11, 2013 at 8:35 AM
The only time I talked to my doctor about guns it was about whether she should carry a gun on her morning bike rides.
claudius on February 11, 2013 at 8:46 AM
The only time my doctor will be allowed to aks about my guns without risking losing me as a patient will be while he’s on the next lane over at the fun range.
michaelo on February 11, 2013 at 9:09 AM
And how does a smoke detector do that? Stop conflating safety and health.
Why, yes, they do! At least the same intrusive jacks that want to know about firearms do. When you have a little one, they will get on about whether you have locks on all your cabinets and all sorts of other crap.
We switched pediatricians when the one we were using asked about guns in the home. I promptly told her “That’s not really any of your business” and we found a new doctor. And, no, I wouldn’t answer about smoke detectors or anything else not directly related to my health.
GWB on February 11, 2013 at 9:46 AM