IA_farmboy
Member
I see quite a few people angered that a physician would be so inquisitive about one's home environment and upbringing. I don't agree with the idea that a physician should treat just the immediate concern. Physicians are there to see that people are healthy. Part of that is assuring you don't come back with some other ailment or wind up dead.
Asking about firearms in the home is just one of many dangers a child can be presented with. I agree that the question, "Are there any firearms in the home?" is a loaded (pardon the pun) question. Much like the question, "Are there any household cleaning agents in the home?" the physician should assume they are present. Instead the question should be phrased, "Are there any <dangerous items> accessible to the child?" That <dangerous item> would include pools, trampolines, household cleaners, medicines, as well as firearms.
I remember a college friend talking about when he was younger and had broken his arm for the second time in a short period of time. While it is a sign of boys being boys, it is also a sign of abuse by the parents. They would not let him go home with the parents until they were satisfied that he was not being abused. They were simply looking out for the best interest of the child.
If the physician has just had a child in for a checkup or to treat a cold or minor injury that is the perfect chance to see if the child is of a high risk for a return visit. That would include questions about nutrition, bathing, car seats, and so on.
Last time I had a checkup at the VA clinic the physician gave me the all OK but said that people of my age were at high risk of trauma injuries and testicular cancer. He said wear a helmet or seatbelt as appropriate and report any signs of cancer. I thought that was very appropriate. He's looking out for my general health.
Here's something, in the same vein, that I didn't like. I had heard on the radio about how this mother was saved by her young boy because he knew to call 911 from a book he was read. I thought that book would be an appropriate gift for Mother's Day for my sister in law. After getting the book I gave it a read. Among the things for reasons to call 911 was a house fire, an injured playmate, and an adult that is not waking up was if the child ever sees a gun. I didn't like that. I made no qualifier of a reasonable adult present but the picture showed a curious child finding a gun in a dresser drawer.
I know that they have a shotgun in the house. I'm also quite certain it is stored where my nephew won't get to it. I don't think that the book should instill such a fear in firearms, on the same level of a house fire, that even the sight of one is grounds to call 911. I was tempted to rip out that page or comment on it while presenting it to my sister in law but decided it would be best to hold my tongue and leave that for them to decide how to present that to their child.
Asking about firearms in the home is just one of many dangers a child can be presented with. I agree that the question, "Are there any firearms in the home?" is a loaded (pardon the pun) question. Much like the question, "Are there any household cleaning agents in the home?" the physician should assume they are present. Instead the question should be phrased, "Are there any <dangerous items> accessible to the child?" That <dangerous item> would include pools, trampolines, household cleaners, medicines, as well as firearms.
I remember a college friend talking about when he was younger and had broken his arm for the second time in a short period of time. While it is a sign of boys being boys, it is also a sign of abuse by the parents. They would not let him go home with the parents until they were satisfied that he was not being abused. They were simply looking out for the best interest of the child.
If the physician has just had a child in for a checkup or to treat a cold or minor injury that is the perfect chance to see if the child is of a high risk for a return visit. That would include questions about nutrition, bathing, car seats, and so on.
Last time I had a checkup at the VA clinic the physician gave me the all OK but said that people of my age were at high risk of trauma injuries and testicular cancer. He said wear a helmet or seatbelt as appropriate and report any signs of cancer. I thought that was very appropriate. He's looking out for my general health.
Here's something, in the same vein, that I didn't like. I had heard on the radio about how this mother was saved by her young boy because he knew to call 911 from a book he was read. I thought that book would be an appropriate gift for Mother's Day for my sister in law. After getting the book I gave it a read. Among the things for reasons to call 911 was a house fire, an injured playmate, and an adult that is not waking up was if the child ever sees a gun. I didn't like that. I made no qualifier of a reasonable adult present but the picture showed a curious child finding a gun in a dresser drawer.
I know that they have a shotgun in the house. I'm also quite certain it is stored where my nephew won't get to it. I don't think that the book should instill such a fear in firearms, on the same level of a house fire, that even the sight of one is grounds to call 911. I was tempted to rip out that page or comment on it while presenting it to my sister in law but decided it would be best to hold my tongue and leave that for them to decide how to present that to their child.
