What business is it of a doctor to arbitrarily ask if I own a firearm?

[Glassunion]

Please correct me if I am wrong...

"I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures (that) are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism."

"I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given to me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God."

How is denying medical care to a patient because they refuse to answer the arbitrary question fit in to that oath? Do not all doctors take the oath? Is it a bullshit oath, just a little something you gotta say before they hand you the degree?

Also, if you look at the law that is being voted on in Florida, there is a provision where if the doctor feels that the patient is in distress, in danger or feels they may be at risk, the question can absolutely be asked.

Personally I dislike this ruling as I do trust my doc, and know that all of the questions he asks are in my best interest. I personally would not want him to feel restrained(especially by a government ruling) in any way. But then again, my doctor is not a political fellow and his only agenda is my overall health. However, if he asked an inappropriate question, I would simply find another doctor.

I only have issue with the arbitrary question, not the question. If that makes sense, you would see my point of view.

[jpak]

1. His

yup

[MicaelS]

2. So, it's the business of a pharmacist if a woman comes

In with a 'scrip for contraception or RU-486? So it's OK for said pharmacist to deny care because said care is against their beliefs?

[jpak]

6. Pharmacists aren't doctors - if they deny doctor's orders, they should lose their license

yup

[MicaelS]

9. And if a doctor refuses to treat a patient over politics, they should

lose their license.

[jpak]

15. Politics should not be confused with Public Health policy

nope

[rl6214]

20. My guns

pose no public heath issues.

NOPE

NOPE

NOPE

[Callisto32]

8. The aspects of my life I choose to reveal to my physician are MY business.

If I lie/withhold information, and the treatment is sub-par because of it, that is my misfortune, and a risk I choose to take by not being forthright with my physician.

Is this a good question to ask someone who is suicidal? Probably. But if I were a doctor who was truly convinced that the person before me was going to commit suicide, I would suspect that I would be derelict in my duty if all I asked about were guns. There are a LOT of ways to kill yourself. Knives, rope, neckties, bathtubs, roofs, et cetera.

[rl6214]

21. Nope

try again.

[Glassunion]

22. How is it "his" business? We gather in his office for "me" not him.

[Callisto32]

3. I see your point of view, I just think this is a solution/issue looking for a problem.

This is a doctor/patient matter and the state should GTFO.

[slackmaster]

4. It may be in the best interests of a person with depression to not keep guns in the home

I know a few people who have voluntarily gotten rid of their firearms for that reason.

One of them managed to commit suicide anyway; with a drug overdose.

Also, a pediatrician would be in a position to advise someone who has children of the dangers of keeping unsecured weapons in the home (in case the parent has completely failed to learn basic gun safety principles and has no sense about children).

Keep in mind that you don't have to answer every question a doctor asks. I would see nothing wrong with lying to the doctor if you feel the question is in invasion of privacy.

[Bold Lib]

11. In that case the question would not be arbitrary as posed in the O.P.

[LynneSin]

5. What if I was displaying suicidal tendencies?

:shrug:

Personally I think this bill is like 'Partial Birth Abortions'. Not really an issue in this country but something that can be used to promote one side and divide America even more.

[Mojorabbit]

7. If a physician thinks a patient is a danger to

himself or others he can Baker act him right then and there if necessary.

[Bold Lib]

10. You missed a key word in the O.P. "arbitrary". What you pose is

a situation that is not "arbitrary". So what business is it of a doctor to ARBITRARILY ask if there is a gun in the home?

[Glassunion]

12. I think you missed a phrase in my OP.

"Also, if you look at the law that is being voted on in Florida, there is a provision where if the doctor feels that the patient is in distress, in danger or feels they may be at risk, the question can absolutely be asked."

[seafan]

13. Child safety is a moral obligation of a pediatrician.

Discussion also in this thread.


Child safety is a moral obligation of a pediatrician. It is doubtful that this gun ownership question is asked arbitrarily of parents in providing medical care for these patients.

It's also notable that this FL GOP legislation prohibiting physicians from asking their patients about gun ownership exempts psychologists and psychiatrists dealing with emergency psychotic episodes.



Yet again, we are presented with the ugly evidence that after being born, the safe lives of children are of no consequence to extreme right wingers.

[Glassunion]

16. I agree, yet there are two sides to the coin.

I have faith and trust in my doctor and if my wife and I ever have a child we would use the same office for our child's care. If the question came up, it would all be in the context. I feel that if the question came up, it would also be mixed in with other questions related to items found throughout the household that pose a potential threat.

However, would the same questions be handled the same way from a pediatrician who is a member of AAP? Would that doctor be asking the question from a position of the overall health of my child or would their questioning be politically motivated? This is where the question becomes arbitrary and is an intrusion.

The AAP helps in many many aspects of child health and safety, however they are quite one-sided on the "gun" issue and have an underlying motive.

But, at the end of the day, personally, I feel that any government should keep their fucking nose out of this. This would be something between me and my doctor. I don't need a bureaucrat in the middle of that.

[seafan]

17. Now, HERE is an example of a physician with a political agenda.

This sign was posted on the door of this Central Florida urologist on March 31, 2010, in the middle of the health insurance reform debate.






Mt. Dora urologist gives viral boost to debate on health care reform

By Stephen Hudak
Palm Beach Post

April 6, 2010

MOUNT DORA — Dr. Jack Cassell, the urologist who sparked a national debate about medical ethics and politics with a message on his office door — "If you voted for Obama…seek urologic care elsewhere" — figured his small orange sign might stir passions among his patients, but he didn't anticipate a national media storm.

"It was my Peter Finch moment," Cassell said, referring to the late actor who won an Oscar for the 1976 movie Network. Finch's crazed character, TV newsman Howard Beale, implores his audience to "go to the window, open it, and stick your head out and yell, 'I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' "

Cassell, 56, whose appearances Monday included Fox News' Fox & Friends and a Chicago drive-time radio program, said he won't take down the sign despite a deluge of outraged calls to his office answering service.

.....

The story was seized by bloggers, political talkers on TV and users of Facebook, Twitter and social media.

"This is what going 'viral' is all about," McBride said.

Cassell contends the spotlight has not affected his ability to see patients or meet his medical obligations. He reaffirmed that he has not refused any patients and has not asked any to state their politics.

"Don't ask, don't tell," he said of his patients' politics. "I was making a statement about Obamacare in a unique way. I really honestly don't care if they voted for Obama, I just don't want them to vote for him again."

Cassell has the right to "advertise" his services however he chooses, said Eulinda Smith, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Health, when asked if the agency would investigate complaints about the sign.

.....

Cassell is married to land-use lawyer Leslie Campione, a Republican candidate for Lake County commissioner. Both in their second marriages, they are parents to a blended family of five children.

The pediatrician honored established medical ethics toward his patient, when he asked whether there was a gun in the child's home.


The urologist with the overt political agenda shames his profession.



It seems to me that this GOP legislation is yet another way to drive a wedge between honest physicians and the public, which fits right in as the political weapon of choice by these right wing zealots in their desire for absolute power.

[Glassunion]

18. Absolutely

Everything that urologist did violates their oath.

Again, I agree that this is a BS law.

[old mark]

14. I used to ignore those questions, finally got a new doctor who does not ask them.....

FWIW, you do not have to answer them.

mark

[guitar man]

19. They can ask any question they like

And if I don't want to answer I can tell them it's none of their damn business. If they persist, I can fire their ass since they are working for me. It's really that simple.