Doctors ask about weapons?

[PKO101]

Make no mistake about it! It is pure and simple information gathering for the anti-gunners agenda. Participants are either in agreement with or are getting paid by the anti-gunners organization.

[Skuggi]

Happened to my buddy when he took his newborn in. He said yup, they gave him some pamphlets on securing a weapon in a household with children. They were out of the free trigger locks tho lol. I see that as a reasonable idea, this was a few years ago though when they were just passing that trigger lock law for new guns to come with them etc.

[1911shooter]

it happened to me on more then one occasion i told the doctor its none of her business, and she refused to see my sons. when i asked her if she had a sportscar in her garage she said its none of my business... they just want to make you and your guns a health issue they will try anything to find a way to pad there stats in there favor its a joke and an invassion of my privacy... if i'm asked i just tell them its non of their business... but our doctors office here in town both the doctors hunt and own guns and when i take my boys there we check out each others carry guns now...... and as for our boys they all play together and we take them shooting every sunday together

[Emptymag]

I never discus polarizing topics with someone who I'm trusting my health care to. Yes, they're professionals, but they are also people with feelings and opinions just like you and I. Why give them reason to take shortcuts with your health care.

Unfortunately, no matter how politely you choose to "not answer" the question, you have pretty much said "yes, I have guns". I have a big problem with this question being asked too and it bothers me even more when the question is asked when speaking directly to the children. (This happens in schools too, but that's for a different discussion.)

Why don't they ask if there are any swimming pools or convicted child predators in the neighborhood if they are truly concerned with the child's safety?

[Mr White]

This must be the reason why my wife always insists on taking the kids to their doctors appointments. She knows I'd create a scene, probably tell the doctor to go f*** himself and that I'd never be bringing my kids back to him again.

[TRB]

Originally Posted by PA Rifleman

Even if the author of the question had the best of intentions, the data could be misused later by another in-duh-vidual with "issues". The data wouldn't have the same confidentiality protection as your tax returns, et al.

AFAIK, doctor/patient confidentiality is a myth promulgated in Hollywood. There are laws that are touted as protecting your privacy. You can restrict a doctor or his staff from telling your relatives or the news media about your status. But the doctor is free to share the information with other health professionals, insurance companies, and the CDC if they so desire.

IANAL, this is just my understanding of the disclaimers that you are required to sign before treatment is given.

Come to think of it, I wonder if it is law that the forms must be signed?

[billamj]

Originally Posted by TRB

AFAIK, doctor/patient confidentiality is a myth promulgated in Hollywood. There are laws that are touted as protecting your privacy. You can restrict a doctor or his staff from telling your relatives or the news media about your status. But the doctor is free to share the information with other health professionals, insurance companies, and the CDC if they so desire.

IANAL, this is just my understanding of the disclaimers that you are required to sign before treatment is given.

Come to think of it, I wonder if it is law that the forms must be signed?

Actually, doctors are not allowed to share health care information with anyone other than your insurance company, and law enforcement in the case of gunshot wounds or injuries that could arise from abuse. They have to request that you waive your privacy rights in order to even ask a second doctor to evaluate a situation that they are uncomfortable in diagnosing. HIPPA, the bill that allows you to carry your healt insurance from one employer to the next, is very specific in this.

[TRB]

Originally Posted by billamj

Actually, doctors are not allowed to share health care information with anyone other than your insurance company, and law enforcement in the case of gunshot wounds or injuries that could arise from abuse. They have to request that you waive your privacy rights in order to even ask a second doctor to evaluate a situation that they are uncomfortable in diagnosing. HIPPA, the bill that allows you to carry your healt insurance from one employer to the next, is very specific in this.

That sounds good. I thought they could share with other health professionals as the need arises.

Do you know if they can require you to sign of on the HIPPA form?

[MarcS]

My doctor asked about mine when i took my pants down during my last physical. specifically he asked if I could pull the trigger when it mattered. I said "yes", he said "good".

This is why I go to this guy.

[billamj]

Originally Posted by TRB

That sounds good. I thought they could share with other health professionals as the need arises.

Do you know if they can require you to sign of on the HIPPA form?

They can share general statistics, number of households served, number of households with weapons, that type of thing but nothing specific. In most instances the form that they have you sign is so they can share information with your noted next of kin should that type of situcation arise.