National survey shows public lukewarm on physician-patient gun discussions

National survey shows public lukewarm on physician-patient gun discussions:

According to a nationally representative survey of adults in the United States, about 2 out of 3 people agree that it is at least sometimes appropriate for health care providers to discuss guns with their patients. Opinions varied by demographic characteristics. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

In 2014 in the United States, there were 33,599 firearm deaths and an additional estimated 81,000 nonfatal firearm injuries. The majority (59 percent) of gun deaths are attributed to suicide. Unsafe gun storage practices can contribute to the death rate. Recognizing that education from health care providers may help reduce unsafe storage practices, many medical and public health organizations have advocated firearm safety counseling by health care providers, especially when there are children or teens at home or when a patient is at risk for harm to self or others. It is not known whether patients think it is appropriate for physicians to ask their patients about guns.

Using a probability-based online survey, researchers sought to estimate the perceived appropriateness of provider discussions about guns. More than 3,900 English-speaking adults were asked "In general, would you think it is never, sometimes, usually, or always appropriate for physicians and other health professionals to talk to their patients about firearms." A majority (66 percent) of participants said that it is at least sometimes appropriate for doctors to inquire about guns. Specifically, 23 percent said these discussions were always appropriate, 14 percent said usually appropriate, and 30 percent said sometimes appropriate. Gun owners were less likely (54 percent) than nonowners (70 percent) to say that provider discussions were at least sometimes appropriate. According to the authors, the observed heterogeneity in opinions highlights the need for communications research to better understand the viewpoints of all types of firearm owners when created targeted firearm safety educational materials and interventions.