My baby well visit - Upset - Overreacting?

[diskdoctr]

I have spent many hours at doctors offices with several children and have never been asked anything about firearms. Closest thing was "Is your home environment safe?". got that a few times. If I were asked about firearms I would simply say "That has nothing to do with this visit".

[tt3]

We haven't been directly asked but they have us fill out a survey and include that question in it. We just leave it blank.

[Holland&Holland]

Why demonize it? I simply answer yes and have never had it go any farther. Doc's ask many personal questions. I understand the fear but if the majority of people answered yes to this question, and I have to think that with Minnesota's outdoor culture it has to be close, then what ???

[shackleford]

I was asked this question at my daughter's first appointment, at around 2 weeks old. "Do you have firearms in the house?" My reply, "Of course." The doc asked if they were all locked up and unloaded, and I laughed, and told him that I wasn't very worried about the two week old racking the slide on my 870, which is kept loaded by the bed, of course. Wonder what the reaction would have been had he known about the .357 on my hip at the time, which was neither locked or unloaded.

[jgalt]

Why demonize it? I simply answer yes and have never had it go any farther. Doc's ask many personal questions. I understand the fear but if the majority of people answered yes to this question, and I have to think that with Minnesota's outdoor culture it has to be close, then what ???

Refusing to answer a question that has absolutely nothing to do with a kid's "wellness" is not demonizing the question. Being offended that a doctor / nurse / care giver / etc. might think that the mere presence of a gun in the same building as a child is a "wellness" issue is also not demonizing the question. Both are perfectly natural responses to a question that has no business being asked...

If you feel the need or desire to answer a bunch of personal questions completely unrelated to the reason for your (or your family member's) visit to the doctor, go right ahead. Seems unwise to me, but to each his own. But it shouldn't be a surprise to you or the doctor when some (hopefully many) get offended by the sheer ignorance of the question, and annoyed that any portion of the few minutes they get to spend with the doctor are eaten away by such an inane & irrelevant question.

It is especially bothersome when it is the kid that is being asked & not the parent. I know that wasn't brought up in this thread, but it has been in others, and is truly the main reason to fight the existence of the question in the first place. For the parent to be snippy or even lie to the doctor is one thing, but for a kid to be put into the position of "tattling" on their parents, or needing to be prepped by the parents on how to handle the question should it come up is just ridiculous.

And while I'm ranting, when the heck did all this "wellness" crap start? I never once had a "wellness" exam growing up. I had doctor visits, checkups & physicals, but no "wellness" ... whatevers. What a load of hooey...

[Holland&Holland]

Why demonize it? I simply answer yes and have never had it go any farther. Doc's ask many personal questions. I understand the fear but if the majority of people answered yes to this question, and I have to think that with Minnesota's outdoor culture it has to be close, then what ???

Refusing to answer a question that has absolutely nothing to do with a kid's "wellness" is not demonizing the question. Being offended that a doctor / nurse / care giver / etc. might think that the mere presence of a gun in the same building as a child is a "wellness" issue is also not demonizing the question. Both are perfectly natural responses to a question that has no business being asked...

If you feel the need or desire to answer a bunch of personal questions completely unrelated to the reason for your (or your family member's) visit to the doctor, go right ahead. Seems unwise to me, but to each his own. But it shouldn't be a surprise to you or the doctor when some (hopefully many) get offended by the sheer ignorance of the question, and annoyed that any portion of the few minutes they get to spend with the doctor are eaten away by such an inane & irrelevant question.

It is especially bothersome when it is the kid that is being asked & not the parent. I know that wasn't brought up in this thread, but it has been in others, and is truly the main reason to fight the existence of the question in the first place. For the parent to be snippy or even lie to the doctor is one thing, but for a kid to be put into the position of "tattling" on their parents, or needing to be prepped by the parents on how to handle the question should it come up is just ridiculous.

And while I'm ranting, when the heck did all this "wellness" crap start? I never once had a "wellness" exam growing up. I had doctor visits, checkups & physicals, but no "wellness" ... whatevers. What a load of hooey...

Understood, and agree with much of what you are saying, and perhaps bad choice of a word, but my point is, maybe it is better to confront the issue head on. Answer something like "of course" Engage in dialog, it might enlighten, who knows. I must confess, fresh in my mind was not a doctor's visit, but rather a similar question posed by a teacher at my youngest's IEP meeting (similar to a parent teacher confernece but with multiple teachers for a dedicated period of time so it tends to be more discusion and less like being run through the cattle chute). Answered the question and engaged in the conversation in a non-threatened, matter of fact manner that I am quite certain left the other participants thinking that this teacher was the crazy lunitic with an agenda and no substance or facts while the father seemed to be a level headed, responsible gun owner who enjoys to share his passion with his children in a safe family friendly way. (I know, could'a fooled me too... )

[jgalt]

Why demonize it? I simply answer yes and have never had it go any farther. Doc's ask many personal questions. I understand the fear but if the majority of people answered yes to this question, and I have to think that with Minnesota's outdoor culture it has to be close, then what ???

Refusing to answer a question that has absolutely nothing to do with a kid's "wellness" is not demonizing the question. Being offended that a doctor / nurse / care giver / etc. might think that the mere presence of a gun in the same building as a child is a "wellness" issue is also not demonizing the question. Both are perfectly natural responses to a question that has no business being asked...

If you feel the need or desire to answer a bunch of personal questions completely unrelated to the reason for your (or your family member's) visit to the doctor, go right ahead. Seems unwise to me, but to each his own. But it shouldn't be a surprise to you or the doctor when some (hopefully many) get offended by the sheer ignorance of the question, and annoyed that any portion of the few minutes they get to spend with the doctor are eaten away by such an inane & irrelevant question.

It is especially bothersome when it is the kid that is being asked & not the parent. I know that wasn't brought up in this thread, but it has been in others, and is truly the main reason to fight the existence of the question in the first place. For the parent to be snippy or even lie to the doctor is one thing, but for a kid to be put into the position of "tattling" on their parents, or needing to be prepped by the parents on how to handle the question should it come up is just ridiculous.

And while I'm ranting, when the heck did all this "wellness" crap start? I never once had a "wellness" exam growing up. I had doctor visits, checkups & physicals, but no "wellness" ... whatevers. What a load of hooey...

Understood, and agree with much of what you are saying, and perhaps bad choice of a word, but my point is, maybe it is better to confront the issue head on. Answer something like "of course" Engage in dialog, it might enlighten, who knows. I must confess, fresh in my mind was not a doctor's visit, but rather a similar question posed by a teacher at my youngest's IEP meeting (similar to a parent teacher confernece but with multiple teachers for a dedicated period of time so it tends to be more discusion and less like being run through the cattle chute). Answered the question and engaged in the conversation in a non-threatened, matter of fact manner that I am quite certain left the other participants thinking that this teacher was the crazy lunitic with an agenda and no substance or facts while the father seemed to be a level headed, responsible gun owner who enjoys to share his passion with his children in a safe family friendly way. (I know, could'a fooled me too... )

The main reason I object to the idea of being asked by a caregiver is philosophical - the concept that a gun is a possible cause of violence is just silly. The practical reasons for objecting is that taking up any of the small amount of time I (or my family members) have with a doctor on any question that is irrelevant to my health is akin to stealing from me, as I am then paying for a service I am not getting. If I had plenty of time with the doctor, the objection would become solely philosophical, and I would most certainly engage in a calm level-headed conversation with them - just as you described with your kid's teacher. In that situation, you (& others who have advised engagement) are spot on...

[justaguy]

.

[David]

The people asking the question were told to ask it. If you were talking to a higher up then preach away and make a difference in the world. But bitching to someone that is doing there job about something they could really give a **** about makes you look like a clown.

That's kind of my philosophy as well. And even if the lower-level employees were reporting a few patients complaining, it wouldn't change anything. If you don't like it, complain directly to the people responsible. Trying to embarrass a nurse is going to have the opposite effect from what you intend, even if it makes you feel better.

My wife was asked the question at a recent visit, and she said, "yes," and the nurse just handed her a small packet of information on safety and keeping guns out of the reach of children. Didn't bother her, or me, a bit.

[DeanC]

If you make too much trouble, it will go down like this:

[Snowgun]

I think you have to consider the intention in which it is asked.

If the physician asked if you drive your child in the car, and then discussed proper safety restraints, would you flip out?

The wellness visit is not only to check the status of your child's health, but also to give information that may prevent detrimental health effects. Preventative medicine is a HUGE push in the medical field, since it costs less to implement than trying to fix the problem after the fact. How to keep your child from getting the current flu, any poisons you keep in your house as part of work or cleaning...ect.

If the questions and discussions of safety regarding firearms are done respectfully in the clinic, we should be happy that this is being handled as mainstream of a way as car seats. Wait till you get that one symptom at the doctors clinic that requires the physician to inquire (as a check) about your experiences with anal sex. This is part of the Standard Operating Procedure, and all providers are required to go down all avenues for your and your children's health. (Trust me, they don't like asking these questions any more than you like being asked them.)

I know that we jump around with paranoia like beaten dogs due to the abuse of the Anti's, but this behavior can ostracize us and our cause from moderate, everyday people.

[mrokern]

I think you have to consider the intention in which it is asked.

If the physician asked if you drive your child in the car, and then discussed proper safety restraints, would you flip out?

The wellness visit is not only to check the status of your child's health, but also to give information that may prevent detrimental health effects. Preventative medicine is a HUGE push in the medical field, since it costs less to implement than trying to fix the problem after the fact. How to keep your child from getting the current flu, any poisons you keep in your house as part of work or cleaning...ect.

Except, they are not only giving advice in a field for which they have zero certifications, they are also WRONG.

Keep unloaded guns? They can kiss my butt.

When they can knowledgeably discuss fast access safes and proper placement of such, along with knowing why the gun on my hip is the safest gun in the house, THEN they can open their mouths.

Yeah, I'm a bit prickly today.

-Mark

[Kirstie]

Did they as about smoking and drinking too , and maybe lead paint in the house because then I think it would be okay to ask about guns. But if they are just asking about guns then there is a problem.

[justaguy]

.

[RichSal2451]

When I was asked, my simple response was "Of Course! Doesn't every caring and responsible parent?"