How do you guys answer this?
- Thread starter Johnmuratore
- Start date
Easy answer - Docs are not Cops... each has a job to do and I dont see any cross training necessary here...
Marie13
Member
I'd say no.
I have been asked many times. Originally I hesitated and was told I did not have to answer but they had to ask and I said I preferred not to answer. Once they asked me my occupation (law enforcement) and then asked. I said what do you think? Now I say it is none of their business. Draw a line in the sand and stand your ground. Enough of being politically correct.
Enzo
Member
I haven't been asked yet but I'd probably smile, wink and then go for a fist bump!
speedyquad
Member
"i'm disappointed you would ask me about those kinds of things..."
leave the answer ambiguous unless a reason for asking is valid.
leave the answer ambiguous unless a reason for asking is valid.
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I would answer with a question, as many posts above have, such as:
Do you have any guns in YOUR home?
Why in the world would you ask that?
How is that medically relevant to my case?
Have you ever heard of the term, "violation of boundaries"?
You can answer with a "No", even if it is not true, because this is not a sworn statement. And since you are not signing in ink at the bottom of the pace stating it is true, I don't see how a "no" answer could come back to bite you. It is just an answer that a doctor wrote down.
Do you have any guns in YOUR home?
Why in the world would you ask that?
How is that medically relevant to my case?
Have you ever heard of the term, "violation of boundaries"?
You can answer with a "No", even if it is not true, because this is not a sworn statement. And since you are not signing in ink at the bottom of the pace stating it is true, I don't see how a "no" answer could come back to bite you. It is just an answer that a doctor wrote down.
Misinformation & Common Sense
I am a family physician in practice since 1989. There is misinformation on the internet that infers, because of the ACA (Obama Care), doctors are required to ask if there are guns in the home. I am not defending the ACA in general but on this topic there is nothing in the ACA, or any of the rules or regulations related to it (yes, I've read it), that requires physicians to ask or record the response to the question regarding gun ownership in a patient record. Unintentional injuries (i.e. accidents) are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year of age - motor vehicle accidents, poisoning, drowning, and firearm accidents are some of the top 10 causes. Proper vehicle restraints, cabinet locks, securing access to pools, and ensuring firearms are safely secured are all common sense measures and the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians encourages physicians to ask questions regarding all these safety issues. I think the question, "Do you have a gun in the house?" is not the best way to handle the situation. When appropriate - i.e. children, mentally impaired, or depressed person in the home - I usually say, I'm sure you've already thought of this but if you have a firearm in the house please make sure it's properly stored or secured.
I am a family physician in practice since 1989. There is misinformation on the internet that infers, because of the ACA (Obama Care), doctors are required to ask if there are guns in the home. I am not defending the ACA in general but on this topic there is nothing in the ACA, or any of the rules or regulations related to it (yes, I've read it), that requires physicians to ask or record the response to the question regarding gun ownership in a patient record. Unintentional injuries (i.e. accidents) are the leading cause of death in children over 1 year of age - motor vehicle accidents, poisoning, drowning, and firearm accidents are some of the top 10 causes. Proper vehicle restraints, cabinet locks, securing access to pools, and ensuring firearms are safely secured are all common sense measures and the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Academy of Family Physicians encourages physicians to ask questions regarding all these safety issues. I think the question, "Do you have a gun in the house?" is not the best way to handle the situation. When appropriate - i.e. children, mentally impaired, or depressed person in the home - I usually say, I'm sure you've already thought of this but if you have a firearm in the house please make sure it's properly stored or secured.
coltle6920
Member
I would make sure I could see all ten of his fingers before answering any questions of any kind. Also important to check for hangnails!
mkbruce
Member
Well stated!
Ranger514
Member
I've never been asked. My Doctors know I'm LE. I typically wear my EDC into their examining rooms. Guess that's a dead giveaway that I keep guns in my home 
I've never heard of questioning of that sort outside of this Forum, and if I am asked by anyone, my stock answer will be a pleasant "That's really none of your business, and has absolutely nothing to do with my diagnosis or treatment."
I've never heard of questioning of that sort outside of this Forum, and if I am asked by anyone, my stock answer will be a pleasant "That's really none of your business, and has absolutely nothing to do with my diagnosis or treatment."Ranger514
Member
Thanks for the clarification, Doc, and thanks for all the good work you do.
Ranger514 - you're welcome. To those poster generally stating it's nobody's business you are all correct. It's rarely relevant to even bring up the topic and it's extremely rare it's your doctor business if you have a gun in your house. In 25 years I've only had one instance in which I had serious concerns with a very mentally unstable patient with access to guns (he brought it up) which needed to be addressed. By law I am basically required to report any situation in which, in my judgment, someone is eminently at risk of seriously harming themselves or others (i.e. suicide or homicide). To those of you who state your doctor has never asked they probably did not ask because their judgment was that there was no need to ask.
One of my doctors has her CCW and shoots. She knows I shoot too (It is kind of hard to deny that I have guns when I asked her how soon after surgery can I go shooting, lol). As up to this posting none of my doctors (and it seems like I get more of them every day, sigh) has asked about guns in the home. I also agree, it is none of their business. Every member in my house has his or her own gun/guns and we all know how to use them safely. The girls have had gun safety drummed into them from day one. This was important because we were competing at the time. When the eldest was able to move the slide on the 1911, it got locked up. She is now 24 and the youngest is 18. Both love and respect guns.
SMMAssociates
Member
Couple of funny ones....
I've been going to the same GP Physician for about 30 years. Other than a couple of hospital stays, he's never seen me without a sidearm.... Every time he finds one (usually lung and cardiac checks), he asks why. I just tell him about my Law Enforcement (rent-a-cop) sideline. He's Indian, and seems to share the British view, but he's never said anything.
I've been on Disability since forever, or so it seems. (Not any more - I hit 65 and just switched to Social Security.) During a periodic review six or seven years ago, the State sent me to their Physician and Psychiatrist.
No signs on the Physician's office, so I just wore the Commander. Didn't expect to disrobe or anything like that. At some point, though, she (female D.O.) asked me to take off my pants. She wanted to measure my legs for some reason. So, what to do with the gun? I just stuck it under the pillow on the exam table. No response from her at all....
The shrink was even funnier. He asked me if I had guns. I told him yes. Then he asked how many. I hesitated (I was counting them, and trying to decided how to look at that), and he started to sound like he was going to look for the exit
.... That's when I reminded him of my LE experience, and that I'd been into it since the late 60's. "You just tend to collect these things." He calmed down. (If you'd seen the people in the guy's waiting room, you'd understand why I was carrying, and probably wouldn't have wanted to go in there without something .)
Overall, though, it's really none of their business. It seems like ZeroCare violates HIPAA all over the place, too....
Regards,
I've been going to the same GP Physician for about 30 years. Other than a couple of hospital stays, he's never seen me without a sidearm.... Every time he finds one (usually lung and cardiac checks), he asks why. I just tell him about my Law Enforcement (rent-a-cop) sideline. He's Indian, and seems to share the British view, but he's never said anything.
I've been on Disability since forever, or so it seems. (Not any more - I hit 65 and just switched to Social Security.) During a periodic review six or seven years ago, the State sent me to their Physician and Psychiatrist.
No signs on the Physician's office, so I just wore the Commander. Didn't expect to disrobe or anything like that. At some point, though, she (female D.O.) asked me to take off my pants. She wanted to measure my legs for some reason. So, what to do with the gun? I just stuck it under the pillow on the exam table. No response from her at all....
The shrink was even funnier. He asked me if I had guns. I told him yes. Then he asked how many. I hesitated (I was counting them, and trying to decided how to look at that), and he started to sound like he was going to look for the exit
.... That's when I reminded him of my LE experience, and that I'd been into it since the late 60's. "You just tend to collect these things." He calmed down. (If you'd seen the people in the guy's waiting room, you'd understand why I was carrying, and probably wouldn't have wanted to go in there without something .)Overall, though, it's really none of their business. It seems like ZeroCare violates HIPAA all over the place, too....
Regards,
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