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Jose,
I don't necessarily disagree with your perspective and thoughts on privacy, but do vouch for the legitimacy of the line of questioning within the medical world (been there, done that). I also believe what goes on inside my home is my business, but it may not be perfect and lifestyle improvements could be made.
I do disagree that the only job of MD's is to heal. Prevention and sharing medically related information is a HUGE issue within the medical world and there are actually assigned specialists/departments within the military regarding prevention. It is absolutely your choice to act as a prudent consumer and a) change providers or b) not provide the information.
As for nothing occuring in a person's house being their business, does that include knowledge of the medications that people are given from their chiropractor/heart specialist and the herbal supplements that all can affect the medications that they may prescribe? Or advising an elderly patient to remove the throw rugs/alter furniture to prevent a broken hip (that has a up to a 50% associated mortality rate within 1 year due to complications with recovery in the elderly) Or maybe advising/instructing testicular exams to look for the painless lumps that are most commonly found in 20-30 year old males (I would hope males) to prevent sterility or even death? Or another almost mandated screening question when people, especially females, go to ER's - questions to identify domestic abuse issues in order to put a halt on the cycles that have plagued and destroyed families for generations. Providers actually have a fair amount of insight into who we are/how we live, that's part of their jobs in order to best provide care to you.
(I throw these out as other examples of other probing, sensitive questions and NOT meant to be personal/relevant to you at all and no offense meant)
I have never heard of numbers being accumulated regarding "guns in house" and turned into anywhere. Might it happen? Perhaps.... Has anyone heard for sure?
PS our pediatrican asked as well and didn't react at all when the answer was yes.
Jose,
I don't necessarily disagree with your perspective and thoughts on privacy, but do vouch for the legitimacy of the line of questioning within the medical world (been there, done that). I also believe what goes on inside my home is my business, but it may not be perfect and lifestyle improvements could be made.
Jose, whether you like it or not, doctors have had these questions on their agendas for at least 26 years - I know, my eldest is 26 and I was asked these questions at the time. My doctor listened to my answers and said that sounded fine. I took no offense, I had read the doctors were asking those questions in some mothers' magazine and knew it was coming.We're going to have to agree to disagree on this.
As an intelligent man, I do not need doctors to tell me about the dangers that lurk in my home. I can also do plenty of reading and research about my health.
What I cannot do is diagnose and medicate, and that is all I need the medical profession for.
And don't get me started on domestic violence. Since when did we deputize doctors to be investigators/detectives/interrogators? This is a police, not medical function.
Yes, the AMA is a liberal feel-good nanny-state organization, and I agree with how you feel, but it's been going on for years and years, I'm surprised anyone is surprised by it.
Well, Scriv, not to argue, but my doctor did ask me, not my children, and the way it's framed in magazines, that's who they usually ask. I agree that asking the children smacks of way to much totalitarianism
When the doctor asked my son about it (during a discussion about lead) he said that he'd been shooting with me but went on to tell her, "We use mostly jacketed ammo."
I might find the question less intrusive and be more inclined to consider it as a medical question if - and ONLY if:
snip
2. The AMA were equally zealous in its inquiries about far more common causes of death and injury, like drowning in pools and even 5-gallon buckets, access to common household chemicals, dogs, non-use of car seats/seat belts and leaving kids locked in cars unattended.
The fact that only firearms are targeted, combined with using kids to obtain info about their parents, smacks of the totalitarian state's tactics.
If they ask me about buckets, they will be shocked at that answer. I have more buckets than guns. (Most filled with brass )
Um. Think I need to disagree with you here on a few things. (had my financial advisor over last night, as as I regard finance as a Black Art about which I know nothing, I took pretty much all of his advice... which leads me to rethink some of my thoughts on doctors and some of what has been posted in this thread)We're going to have to agree to disagree on this.
As an intelligent man, I do not need doctors to tell me about the dangers that lurk in my home. I can also do plenty of reading and research about my health.
What I cannot do is diagnose and medicate, and that is all I need the medical profession for.
And don't get me started on domestic violence. Since when did we deputize doctors to be investigators/detectives/interrogators? This is a police, not medical function.
And there's where I start to disagree with you. I also consult my NP (as well as my optometrist, chiropractor & dentist) on preventative medicine, as well. They (as a group) advise me on (off the top of my head) excercises, stretches, diet, toothpaste and what type of brush to use, etc. None of these comes under the heading of "diagnose & medicate" but how to avoid NEEDING medication.What I cannot do is diagnose and medicate, and that is all I need the medical profession for.
Well, my GP didn't, but that may have had something to do with the fact that I walked into her office carrying a helmet and wearing a leather jacket.The problem is that "the gun question" is pure political BS. Does the doctor ever ask you if you own a bicycle, motorcycle, boat, or airplane?
Um. Think I need to disagree with you here on a few things. (had my financial advisor over last night, as as I regard finance as a Black Art about which I know nothing, I took pretty much all of his advice... which leads me to rethink some of my thoughts on doctors and some of what has been posted in this thread)
You said
And there's where I start to disagree with you. I also consult my NP (as well as my optometrist, chiropractor & dentist) on preventative medicine, as well. They (as a group) advise me on (off the top of my head) excercises, stretches, diet, toothpaste and what type of brush to use, etc. None of these comes under the heading of "diagnose & medicate" but how to avoid NEEDING medication.
Now, IF a doctor asks a new parent or new patient's parent if s/he has guns, it is possible that they could be going to advise you to remember that kids are more curious than cats and to keep the guns locked away from the kids. Comes under preventative medicine... sorta like keeping dishwashing detergent and paint thnner locked up and away from the kids. Unfortunately, many docs do NOT take that kind of attitude, and I see NO reason for a doctor to EVER note it down that little Johnny's parents own guns. OTOH, I see nothing wrong with trying to help a new parent think of things that they may not think of.
As for domestic violence... many people will tell a doctor or nurse things that they wouldn't dream of telling a cop. Personally, I think that beating your wife, husband OR children is a despicable crime and should be punished by finding someone even bigger than the offender to administer a thorough beat-down to said offender. However, most victims are so cowed that they will NOT call the cops. Someone must. To an extent, I guess that makes me a "nanny-stater". So be it. If someone is unable to protect his or herself, then we must.
No, dear, I don't need to reread anything, Eddie's post was pages back, and I was reporting my experience, which was markedly different from what you (and for that matter, Eddie) were pointing out. Anyone who thinks things are at all secure and safe in this day and age has a screw loose and I've never said the info was safe. Nothing is safe, no one's information is secure, anyone who wants to know anything can find it out if they're determined enough and have the technical knowledge to find it.Then you need to (re)read Eddie Coyle's post:
Obviously some doctors are interrogating the children. I have seen this stated in near-identical threads on other forums.
Note that the answer will be noted on the chart, which will be part of the record your HMO or whatever collects on you. Anyone who thinks that data is secure is probably clueless enough to still use their SSN on their driver's license "because it's so convenient."
Must be nice to know everything. I don't; that's why I ask advice from someone who spends their professional career doing things like that.Ross, I am well and truly able to find recommendations on anything from diet, exercise, stretching, herbal supplements, ad nauseum, on my own. I don't need doctors, or their advice, for that.
I don't, either. I take anything suggested to me with due skepticism, examine the suggestion, and, if I feel it may have merit, try it. If it works, great. If not, that's great, too. I learned something, even if it's negative. If I do not feel the need to even try the suggestion, I don't.I do not NEED, nor want, anyone to tell me how I should live my life. That is why I am adult, to take responsibility for myself AND my children.
The former, I agree with. The latter? Well, I'm paying the doctor for medical care, so I will listen to them. If I don't like the suggestion, I ignore it. As a diabetic, however, and someone with a family history of other problems I'm not going to detail here, I will certainly listen to any suggestions. If it sounds hokey, or if it involves a life change I'm not willing to make, then I don't do it. I still ride a motorcycle, for example. My choice.The state and the medical profession's advice and recommendations are neither needed nor welcome unless I ask for them.
Exactly my point. However... Jewish teachings mention the 4 children. The wise son, the wicked son, the simple son and the son unable to ask. The fourth son, we are taught, you have to teach from the beginning. My concern is what happens if there's something I don't know enough to ask about? Example: there's a link between oral hygiene and heart trouble in diabetics. I never would have thought to ask that, but my dentist knows I'm a diabetic so he told me about this and makes sure I get frequent checkups. I'd never have even THOUGHT to research this!As I said before, I do not go to a doctor's office to be lectured or counseled about ANYTHING. If there is something I want their advice on, I will ask.
Well, actually, it does. I only hope that it doesn't cost you your life.If that makes me look like an arrogant know-it-all, so be it. That's the price I pay for being an extreme believer in individualism and privacy.
I'll answer it anyway - simply put, sometimes a person will tell a doc what they won't tell the cops. Nothing to do with WHY, and everything to do with WHO.If someone is afraid of retaliation, what makes you think they will tell the doc what they won't tell the cops? Are they that naive that they don't know why the doc asks? Never mind, don't answer that.
No, dear, I don't need to reread anything, Eddie's post was pages back, and I was reporting my experience, which was markedly different from what you (and for that matter, Eddie) were pointing out.
I wasn't looking for an argument from you, but I'm sure that doesn't matter, you just love to argue. Must be a lawyer thing.
About 3 months ago when we went in for another routine check up they were updating to new computer based system. This time a nurse asked the questions. DO you have fire arms, yes, Are they locked, yes,. then with came" well are you a police officer," NO, Do you Hunt, I again said NO, I then asked her if she had any firearms she said no, I dont need a gun, I was about to get going a little and my wife looked at me and said Thomas!!(yup just like mom, I knew I was in trouble.) so I backed off...When the DR came in I asked her about the questions and she went over how they are routine adn so on. I informed her that I felt a little heat from the nurse and she said she would have a conv with her....
It seems to me alot like RadioShack asking for my telephone number.
I would have answered with: "none of those issues relate to either medical care nor to the reason I am here".do you smoke, carbon monoxide det, smoke det, when she asked about the guns and are they locked she didnt even look up when I said yes. ....
Being a teenager, my doctor always asks if theres guns in my house, if i smoke, do drugs, etc. I say that as well as being a cocaine/heroin dealer and user, I also sell assualt rifles