do you support or oppose laws that prevent doctors from talking about guns with their patients?

[CreekDog]

13 votes, 3 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	I support laws which prevent doctors from discussing guns with their patients
	4 (31%)
	I oppose laws which prevent doctors from discussing guns with their patients
	9 (69%)
	3 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

1. Doctors should be able to talk about guns with their patients

... to the extent that the gun is somehow involved with the patient's health. If joint pain is keeping me from competitive shooting events, I want to discuss that.

[Atypical Liberal]

2. Doctors, particularly psychiatrists, definitely ought to be having these conversastions. n/t

[NewMoonTherian]

3. I have no problem with doctors discussing gun ownership.

I do have a problem with doctors expecting patients to answer questions about their personal gun ownership. That isn't medically relevant, and the doctor has no right or professional reason to know.

[Eleanors38]

17. ^^^

[spin]

4. My doctors have often discussed firearms with me. ...

The conversation is about what type of firearms we have and shooting or hunting experiences.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

5. I support...

...the Physician's Oath.

[Remmah2]

6. Depends upon the qualifications of the doctor?

Would you want to discuss mental health with your proctologist?

[CreekDog]

8. you're saying that a doctor, say a urologist, should not be allowed to ask psychological questions?

is that what you're saying?

[Remmah2]

9. nor should your psychologist ask your about your foot fungus.

It has nothing to do with their core competency and does not offer any benefit to the patient.

[CreekDog]

10. well thank you for confirming your ignorance

since a urologist treating sexual issues would have a reason to ask questions related to mental health and/or psychological issues.

you have no expertise in this and should not be telling anyone's doctor what they should or should not ask.

[Remmah2]

11. If you can't get it up and it's psychological, sound personal.

What are you trying to tell us?

[CreekDog]

7. congratulations to the posters who are too morally conflicted over the issue to take a position

smooooooooth

[HALO141]

15. Not morally conflicted.

I have too much respect for the First Amendment to think that any conversational topic should be ruled illegal. I also have too much respect for the Second Amendment to favor the CDC trying to reframe a constitutional issue into the public health arena. Beyond that, I have no interest in listening to a load of moralistic dribble from my doctor. Treat my sinus infection and shut the fuck up.

[iiibbb]

18. Shitty poll question

It depends on context and meaning of "discuss".


It's the same as asking if I oppose "reasonable" gun control. What's "reasonable"? I am being asked to accept a premise before the terms are revealed.


In principle I do not think laws should overly influence my relationship with my doctor... and I am for" reasonable " gun control if that is ever really proposed

[PavePusher]

12. The poll is moot, as I am not aware of any state that has laws preventing such conversations.

If you know of one, can you cite the law involved?

[actslikeacarrot]

13. I have no problem with a doctor...

...asking about guns, but I also have no problem with a patient saying "nunyabusiness" with no repercussions.

[holdencaufield]

14. What possible difference would it make either way?

Do you propose a similar ban on doctors speaking with women on reproductive choices? Because there are people who would support that.

[aikoaiko]

16. OTOH, I don't support doctors who refuse service to patients who don't want to answer questions...

... about their guns or anything else.

That doctor in Florida who refused ongoing service to a parent who didn't want to answer that question is a first class a-hole.
http://www.ocala.com/article/20100724/ARTICLES/7241001

[Glaug-Eldare]

19. Doctors should have the freedom to practice as they see necessary.

Particularly psychiatric professionals who feel that it would be helpful for a patient to voluntarily remove themselves from the presence of firearms. Pediatricians should be free to offer advice about safe storage and safety education, or to ask questions about what potential risks exist in a home. I even think that GPs should be able to recommend against firearms ownership if they personally consider it a health hazard. No doctor should be required to ignore any gun-related issue they find medically relevant, nor should any patient be required to answer gun-related questions or adjust their gun ownership in order to receive emergency or pre-paid care.

This is one area where the "free market" idea should prevail. Let doctors say and ask virtually anything they like, and let patients be free to seek care from a provider compatible with their needs. The farthest I'd be willing to go with restrictions on doctors is to require that gun-related questions be accompanied by notice that patients are not required to answer them, but that should be self-evident.

[GreenStormCloud]

20. I support the patient having the right to not answer.

When I want advise on a car, I go to a mechanic.
When I want advise on a gun, I go to a gun expert.
When I want medical advise, I go to a doctor.

[kudzu22]

21. In general, I'd oppose

Unless someone can show that it's discriminatory in some way. I'd also oppose laws requiring physicians to ask about guns. I support my right to choose another doctor who doesn't pry into non-medical issues.

[HockeyMom]

22. Should doctors be able to ask if a parent locks up

household chemicals, put safety plugs on outlets, meds bottles, etc., which can KILL children, why not about GUN SAFETY? Do you think they should be not able to ask about these things also? Unsecured guns can kill children too? Why should they be exempt but not the others?