Pediatricians and guns

[Atec]

I don't ask about guns. I do ask if you have anal sex with your wife. It's a health issue.

 

[davsco]

yeah one of my docs always went into details re seat belts but never took the time to explain my test results. focus on what you went to school for, not a bunch of ancillary crap.

 

[Crxflippr]

I didn't get this question until my sons 3 year old check up, so it caught me off guard. I balked, then asked why the question was asked. The doctor politely explained that it was about safety concerns and I didn't need to answer the question if I didn't want to. I said that anything that could be a threat to my boy's safety was safely secured, and she moved on.

Did they ask you if you had a pool?

As I was leaving and thinking about the question more, I started thinking about how I didn't get questions about pools, poisons, or dogs. That's when I started getting a little frustrated.

A lot of docs just get the standard forms. They all have that on it. Then they have a medical assistant fresh from the Medix school asking the questions. She never gave it much thought, but figures the question is there as a matter of safety.

Nobody who doesn't own a gun has ever questioned why they ask. If you give them a hard time, they now know you have a gun. I have said this a hundred times......if someone asks if you have a gun, just answer "no". Problem solved. Now let them listen to the heart and lungs, give some vaccines, and then you can go to the range.

Next time I'll be prepared for the question and will use this approach.

 

[m&p9]

I don't ask about guns. I do ask if you have anal sex with your wife. It's a health issue.

It's a health issue only if I try. Rectum, nearly killtum

 

[shooting again]

This is a very old question. I first had it posed to me at least 20 years ago as part of a "comprehensive health assessment." One potential impact is that it does get people used to intrusive, and more intrusive, questions especially if they're sheeple people. Whether that's part of a grand conspiracy I'll leave up to the various theorists.

I've had good success simply saying that I don't think that's relevant or something similar and there were other good responses suggested earlier in the string. The last time it happened with me the person filling out the form made a nervous noise and said she had got a bunch of responses like that, and she didn't know why it was on the form but it was so she had to ask it. It's largely a case of using the advice in Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

 

[miles71]

At my first visit with our new dr the question was asked. I answered yes and then said "do you shoot?" The conversation turned into a nice chat about ranges and I found we had a hobby in common. Actually made me very comfortable with him, without him asking I told him all of my stuff is locked up for safety with my new son running around, but accessible enough n case of an emergency. I was never asked how much or what kinds and never felt violated. I have grown to really like and trust this dr. Over the last few years.

I was also going to a chiropractor/physical therapist for a while due to some back issues. Not sure if he Sked but we did talk about shooting he mentioned he had a permit and would sometimes go shooting at lunch time. He then showed me his new model 19 smith Nd Wesson he had just acquired a few days earlier. It was locked in his office.

If it is a conversation to establish a,relationship with a new patient or just a safety check with a new parent, im ok with it. Both my experiences have been pleasant.
TD

 

[Half-cocked]

As I was leaving I and thinking about the question more, I started thinking about how I didn't get questions about pools, poisons, or dogs. That's when I started getting a little frustrated.

That's kind of what I figured.

All of their righteous indignation aside, I think we know why this information is being sought out. And I know many doctors sincerely believe that's not the case (Teratos included), but I believe they're being naive - no offense meant, Teratos.

The "control freak" mentality in our society grows with every passing decade, and it won't be long before .gov knows more about us, than we do about ourselves. Sooner or later, we're going to see firearms seizures like the recent ones in California, because a doctor somewhere diagnosed a kid with depression, and felt he "had to act in the child's best interest".

 

[boricuamaximus]

I don't ask about guns. I do ask if you have anal sex with your wife. It's a health issue.

Is it cheating if you do anal with his wife? Just asking since we're getting in the brown grey areas.

 

[teratos]

That's kind of what I figured.

All of their righteous indignation aside, I think we know why this information is being sought out. And I know many doctors sincerely believe that's not the case (Teratos included), but I believe they're being naive - no offense meant, Teratos.

The "control freak" mentality in our society grows with every passing decade, and it won't be long before .gov knows more about us, than we do about ourselves. Sooner or later, we're going to see firearms seizures like the recent ones in California, because a doctor somewhere diagnosed a kid with depression, and felt he "had to act in the child's best interest".

I understand where you are coming from. I don't think most doctors have ulterior motives. We have been taught that it is our job to save everyone from themselves. I am a bit more realistic and feel I am here to give advice, which you can take or leave. I do not, however, give advice on anything not medical.

I have concerns about what goes into the electronic medical record. Right now that government doesn't have access to it. Once we are a one-payer system, I bet they do. Not a single one of my patients has the gun question answered in their file. Not one. I am also careful about what I put in the "did you ever do drugs" area. If there is a significant drug history, it can be relevant and it goes in. If you smoked some weed in college, I put "no drug use". It's nobodies business.

 

[Half-cocked]

I can only pray that enough doctors think like you, Teratos!

My son-in-law is a newly minted doctor, interning in pediatrics. Unfortunately, he's also a lib/dem with strong statist views. I just hope he matures out of it.

 

[marte616]

I have anal sex with:

 

[SouthCo]

I posted some time back about this. When my boys were younger our peditrician asked the same question. I said yes. He simply talked to my young boys about what do you do if you find a gun. They said don't touch it and tell an adult. Like they had been taught by my wife and I. He said yep and that's great. I was proud of them. He's a great pediatrician and we still take our kids to him. Maybe I should be more fearful of that type of question, but I don't feal like I have to be on the defensive because I have guns....

 

[jason_o]

guns, doctors, and anal sex

good talk

 

[AntiGun]

+1 Agreed but nix on some of the vaccines too...too many too soon and some not really necessary. Another battle to fight another day.

Given that this is a firearms forum that often times veers into other matters I will add to this:
If you're counting on herd immunity or worried about the newer vaccines then just stick to the tried and true vaccines for the sake of the kid but do not go without any.

For once and for real this one is 'for the children' and well backed by historical experience, much like the 2nd...

That's all I'm saying.

 

[marte616]

Im sorry, but it is not of my MD's business if I have guns in the house, unless I am seeing him for a gunshot wound...hell no...MD asks question, that info goes into your ( electronic) record linked to .gov databases, later you get couples counseling or mental health services due to stress at work or marital problems, you get medicated with anti- depressants, and boom- SWAT knocks on your door at 2 AM to raid your safe because you have guns and you are taking Psych meds...no thanks....

If i get asked that questions, I answer: I believe in the free exercise of all of our rights and liberties, to include the RTKABA, and your right to mind your own business.

 

[EvilOlive]

Just answer no and move on.

 

[TxAggie]

She's not LEO and you're not in court. "No, I do not have any weapons. Next question."

 

[TxAggie]

I understand where you are coming from. I don't think most doctors have ulterior motives. We have been taught that it is our job to save everyone from themselves. I am a bit more realistic and feel I am here to give advice, which you can take or leave. I do not, however, give advice on anything not medical.

I have concerns about what goes into the electronic medical record. Right now that government doesn't have access to it. Once we are a one-payer system, I bet they do. Not a single one of my patients has the gun question answered in their file. Not one. I am also careful about what I put in the "did you ever do drugs" area. If there is a significant drug history, it can be relevant and it goes in. If you smoked some weed in college, I put "no drug use". It's nobodies business.

The EMR's are what concerns me as well. And quite honestly, Doc, if you have any patient files on computer then the government can access them if they want. We are only a howitzers' cough from NSA.

 

[TopTechAgent]

I too as caught off guard by these questions over 10 years ago. I did some digging and found plenty of articles at the time about the Anti movement of the AMA

So I chose to answer NO for many years as I thought the questions were un-reasonable and intrusive.

Looking back though that approach caused another issue I hadn't thought of.

Since the parent is asked these questions most often in front of their children and by surprise a quick choice is required. Tell the truth and reveal you have guns to your children (when they may not be aware yet) or lie to get past the question and remain private. (Just Say No)

However: As my children got older we were asked this again. This time our children having the knowledge of our ownership. Of course you want your children to learn to be honest with their DR. "But Dad..you have been lying all along..."

Looking back I should have asked the DR to have the opportunity to answer that question privately with my children out of the room.

We love our DR and would continue to bring our children there even if she was Anti 2A. To the defense of her and their practice we ARE asked about Poisons, Pools, Proper Use of Helmets, Etc.

I just don't think our gun ownership should be in our children s health record.

Now, if you think Ammo Logs are bad...think of electronic records of all these interviews and national health care. Easy way to make you buy that liability insurance too.

 

[smokey]

I assume any doctor's office that asks this also has Eddie Eagle pamphlets and other gun safety education resources in the waiting room, right? I mean, if safety is the number one concern in asking this they'd absolutely give out those resources. I guess I'd trust this more if stuff like this...
http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/16/obama-answers-american-medical-associations-gun-control-request/
...wasn't all over the news.