Doctors ask about weapons?

[ChamberedRound]

I took a day off not long ago to take my daughter to her 3 year-old checkup at the doctor's. During the process, the doctor reviews my daughter's chart, asking me if anything's changed in recent months, updates to my daughter's health, contact information, oh, and "do you have any weapons in the house?".

Huh?

I was floored by that question. I'm there to make sure my daughter is healthy, and they're asking me about weapons? What business is it of theirs if I have a weapon in the house? How does that information assist them in doing their job any better? After I got home, my wife told me, "yeah, they ask me that every time I go in with one of the kids.".

I'm really bothered by this. I know they have the right to ask me anything, and I have the right answer them, or not. But it amazes me that the question was even asked in the first place; it's just completely out of context. Even worse, they are a good doctor's office; great with the kids, and rarely a wait. I'm hesitant to change doctors on the kids, but at the same time I'm not sure if I want to continue supporting a business that implements such practices. It's like the guy at the Deli counter at Redner's asking if you've ever had a drinking problem.

Has anyone else here had similar experiences with their kid's pediatrician or family doctor?

[IceFire]

What, you're just NOW finding out about this? This hs been going on for al long time now (especially given that the AMA tends to be anti-gun). I just tell thim that it's none of their business.

[Siobhra]

None of your business. Let me translate that for you. Yes, daddy is a gun nut.

My doctor asked the same thing and I answered "Yes, just as all responsible parents do". "Do you have kids and do you care enough to protect them?"

[Frenchy]

After hitting a deer and having mirror splashed in my face, I went to the emergency room, where the doctor asked me a 46 year old, 250 lb man if my wife was violent.. Violance is every where, and Doctors from what i understand have a dutie to try and expose it.

Some doctors lake it upon themselves to ask more then tnen hey should i think, but If you ever go in with a kid and a blue mark on them or a black eye, you can expect to get the third degree. When my daughter was about 4 years old, she fell off a swing, and the wooden bench hit her across the nose... By the time the Dr put the stitches in there was already a social worker asking me to leave the room a few minutes so they could talk to me, as they did this, they also talked to her. I found it odd at the time that they would ask me out of the room, but realised why when my daughter explained they told her it was ok to say dad or mom hit her. When she told me this I started laughing and the security guard at the front desk looked at me like i was insane.. ( I was on chemeo at the time) So I cought the "social worker" on her way out and said, I am on the 6th floor on chemeo therapy, this bald head is because i have a tumor, not because i am in a gang! My Daughters mother was in the room with me while YOUR staff was attending my Daughter in YOUR play ground! When she got hurt no one from your staff came to tell us, we found out because she was running around trying to find us, and your asking her if I am violent? by this time the social worker was completely white, realizing that a program they had just started to help families cope with cancer had failed its primary mission, keeping the children safe.

[TonyF]

IceFire already mentioned the AMA but it's also the CDC in Atlanta. They've been anti-gun for a long time and in collusion with anti-gun forces they're trying to link and characterize gunshot deaths and injuries as a *health* issue.

[ChamberedRound]

Originally Posted by IceFire

What, you're just NOW finding out about this? This hs been going on for al long time now (especially given that the AMA tends to be anti-gun). I just tell thim that it's none of their business.

I know that Doctors, the AMA, the CDC, etc. tend to be anti-gun. That's no surprise to me. I consider myself to be a very involved parent, and part of my resposibility to my family, IMHO, is to always go to my son/daughter's well visits to the Doctor. My oldest is 5, my youngest is 3, I've lived in 2 states, they've had 3 different doctors, and this is the 1st office that's ever asked my wife and I this question.

BTW, I told the Dr. I didn't feel that question was relevant to her examination of my daughter. The Dr. didn't argue, and just continued.

Originally Posted by TonyF

IceFire already mentioned the AMA but it's also the CDC in Atlanta. They've been anti-gun for a long time and in collusion with anti-gun forces they're trying to link and characterize gunshot deaths and injuries as a *health* issue.

Health issue... I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but gimme a break.

[ChamberedRound]

Originally Posted by Frenchy

After hitting a deer and having mirror splashed in my face, I went to the emergency room, where the doctor asked me a 46 year old, 250 lb man if my wife was violent.. Violance is every where, and Doctors from what i understand have a dutie to try and expose it.

I agree with you that doctors have a right to expose violence. But IMHO they only have that right when there's a REASON, or PROBABLE CAUSE, or CONTEXT. Your injury could have been caused by violence, so I can understand their asking. However, my wife and I were taking our daughter to a routine check-up. Not only was the question completely out of CONTEXT, but the answer in and of itself doesn't, and shouldn't, allege violence. I shouldn't be classified as violent simply because I own a weapon.

Originally Posted by Frenchy

Some doctors lake it upon themselves to ask more then tnen hey should i think, but If you ever go in with a kid and a blue mark on them or a black eye, you can expect to get the third degree. When my daughter was about 4 years old, she fell off a swing, and the wooden bench hit her across the nose... By the time the Dr put the stitches in there was already a social worker asking me to leave the room a few minutes so they could talk to me, as they did this, they also talked to her. I found it odd at the time that they would ask me out of the room, but realised why when my daughter explained they told her it was ok to say dad or mom hit her. When she told me this I started laughing and the security guard at the front desk looked at me like i was insane.. ( I was on chemeo at the time) So I cought the "social worker" on her way out and said, I am on the 6th floor on chemeo therapy, this bald head is because i have a tumor, not because i am in a gang! My Daughters mother was in the room with me while YOUR staff was attending my Daughter in YOUR play ground! When she got hurt no one from your staff came to tell us, we found out because she was running around trying to find us, and your asking her if I am violent? by this time the social worker was completely white, realizing that a program they had just started to help families cope with cancer had failed its primary mission, keeping the children safe.

Unbelievable. And again, in this case, no CONTEXT for putting everyone, especially your daughter, through the 3rd degree.

[IceFire]

Originally Posted by TonyF

IceFire already mentioned the AMA but it's also the CDC in Atlanta. They've been anti-gun for a long time and in collusion with anti-gun forces they're trying to link and characterize gunshot deaths and injuries as a *health* issue.

To me, it's not so much of a HEALTH issue as it is a STUPIDITY issue...when there are gunshot injuries/deaths, SOMEONE was being stupid whether it be gang-bangers, someone with an axe to grind, a nutjob, or just some careless bozo. (hey, if you're going to off someone, at least make it look like an ACCIDENT--a gun is just TOO obvious...)

[TonyF]

Originally Posted by IceFire

To me, it's not so much of a HEALTH issue as it is a STUPIDITY issue...when there are gunshot injuries/deaths, SOMEONE was being stupid whether it be gang-bangers, someone with an axe to grind, a nutjob, or just some careless bozo. (hey, if you're going to off someone, at least make it look like an ACCIDENT--a gun is just TOO obvious...)

Collecting info at doctor's offices and health care facilities is an opportunity to *pad* the statistical data that guns in the home are a health hazard.

[phillyd2]

LOL, our first baby girl is only 5 months old and the day after we brought her home a visiting nurse came over (nice service for new moms, btw) and was telling us about things we should know such baby proofing our house. All the while I was cleaning my SKS. She did not seem amused but for some reason did not say a word

In other words, tell them to shut the F up!