Enlighten me, ATOT

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DayLaPaul

Platinum Member
Apr 6, 2001
2,072
0
76
Well in the case of psychiatric care, I think it would be a good idea for the doctor to know whether or not the patient has access to guns so the patient doesn't go and do something crazy. In theory, the only time the doctor would ever act on this knowledge is if he felt the patient was a danger to himself or others.
 

Mo0o

Lifer
Jul 31, 2001
24,227
3
76
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Because it is against federal law for someone suffering from a mental disorder to own a firearm. The VTech gunman comes to mind. I wonder what how he answered his questionaire.

I don't think so. The question is written in a form to ask about guns being in the household, not specifically owned by a certain individual.

If that were the case- if they were attempting to obtain information for the government, I think they'd be treading a very fine line. The physician would be violating the doctor/client priviledge, and there also may be a case for 4th amendment violation, as they would essentially be acting as an agent for the government.

It's also against the law to possess cocaine- but do you think the office is going to call the cops if someone says they're an addict? Hello lawsuit...

Unless you present a clear and imminent danger to someone, the doc wont report you
 

Dualist

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2005
2,395
0
86
Originally posted by: JLee
Exercise, sunscreen, special diets, tobacco use, alcohol, drug use..sure, that makes sense.

But..do you have guns in the home?

:confused:

Psychological reasons, I guess. The question's likely there for anyone who had a history of mental or psychological problems. Anyone with those conditions can use anything, especially a gun to inflict harm on himself or herself, or danger to others.
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: Newbian
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: shortylickens
Originally posted by: JLee
Originally posted by: shortylickens
Statistically, gun owners are more likely to have gun accidents.
Some health insurance and life insurance companies actually raise your rates.
This is the questionnaire for my new PCP, not for my health insurance.
Does your health insurance company ask if you smoke or drink?

Probably.., I don't remember.

Again, this questionnaire is for my new primary care physician. It has absolutely nothing to do with the insurance policy.

You don't think they share this information with the insurance?

"This is a confidential record that will be kept in your medical record and will not be released to anyone without your written authorization."

Though I suppose I'll have to sign something eventually that releases all info to the insurance company. Not that it would affect my insurance anyway :)P), but I thought it odd. I have never been asked before.

Originally posted by: Injury
Originally posted by: MoPHo
From a PCP's stand point, it may come in handy if a patient claims to have depression.

Whether the people saying this are joking or not, I wouldn't be surprised if this does have something to do with it.

They wouldn't ask it if there wasn't a statistical reason to know, and if you don't like answering it then just don't answer it.

Haha...I have health insurance through my employer. Having a gun at home is probably not on top of the 'most-likely-to-be-injured-by' list. :p

haaaaaaaaaahahahahhahahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahaha breathe haaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

you really think insurance companies don't have access to your medical history?


as a bonus: if you ever file a workman's comp claim, your employer will have access to it too! And the guy who gets the final say on the whole thing is usually a government employee who needs only a high school education.

Welcome to the American Healthcare System. Go fuck yourself!
 

SirStev0

Lifer
Nov 13, 2003
10,449
6
81
Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Because it is against federal law for someone suffering from a mental disorder to own a firearm. The VTech gunman comes to mind. I wonder what how he answered his questionaire.

That isn't true. At least not yet. There was talk about it in congress, but I am pretty sure all the nutballs can still pet their guns if they want.
 

EGGO

Diamond Member
Jul 29, 2004
5,504
1
0
Originally posted by: shortylickens
Statistically, gun owners are more likely to have gun accidents.
Some health insurance and life insurance companies actually raise your rates.

Statistically? I didn't even know those who didn't own guns could have gun accidents.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: shortylickens
Statistically, gun owners are more likely to have gun accidents.

That's largely a flawed statistic. While it is indeed impossible to have a firearm "accident" if you're never around a firearm, the studies that show significant increased risk from owning firearms fail to account for several things.

- They do not distinguish between legal and illegal ownership.
- They do not distinguish between genuine accidents and injuries that occur during the commission of a crime.
- They do not address the fact that multiple studies have shown that overall suicide rates remain constant regardless of firearm ownership.


To JLee, your physician has no business whatsoever knowing whether or not you have firearms in your home. If it were me filling out that paperwork, I would leave the box un-checked.

ZV
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: Mo0o
Unless you present a clear and imminent danger to someone, the doc wont report you

Right. Just like a professor will only call the police if you present a clear and immediate danger.

Sorry, but some people do have their own agendas and some people do have irrational fears that perceive danger where none exists.

ZV
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Because it is against federal law for someone suffering from a mental disorder to own a firearm. The VTech gunman comes to mind. I wonder what how he answered his questionaire.

That isn't true. At least not yet. There was talk about it in congress, but I am pretty sure all the nutballs can still pet their guns if they want.

Anyone who has ever been adjudicated as mentally incompetent is prohibited from owning firearms. That covers anyone who is forced to accept treatment for a mental health disorder (and which, by the way, included the VA Tech gunman). This is already the law and has been the law for decades.

ZV
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
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Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Originally posted by: SirStev0
Originally posted by: DayLaPaul
Because it is against federal law for someone suffering from a mental disorder to own a firearm. The VTech gunman comes to mind. I wonder what how he answered his questionaire.

That isn't true. At least not yet. There was talk about it in congress, but I am pretty sure all the nutballs can still pet their guns if they want.

Anyone who has ever been adjudicated as mentally incompetent is prohibited from owning firearms. That covers anyone who is forced to accept treatment for a mental health disorder (and which, by the way, included the VA Tech gunman). This is already the law and has been the law for decades.

ZV

:beer:

reminder to everyone saying it's for legal reasons/etc -- this isn't a psychological evaluation. This is the questionnaire for my primary care physician - for a routine physical...not a head exam.

The psych doc asked stuff like this when I had my pre-employment psychological evaluation, which was fine...I just don't see any reason for a PCP to need to know. Certainly less reason for him to know this than for me to know if someone who spits on me, bleeds on me, or bites me has AIDS..but thank-you-HIPPA, I can't even know that. Go figure.
 

Titan

Golden Member
Oct 15, 1999
1,819
0
0
I'd be fine with this as long they asked if you own a car.

Because they have a higher statistical chance of you having a car-related injury.

Or better yet, an SUV. :)
 

adairusmc

Diamond Member
Jul 24, 2006
7,095
78
91
Just tell him the truth - you lost all of your guns in a tragic boating accident years ago. Same thing happened to me.
 

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,938
19,180
136
Perhaps knowing if you're exposed to gases and particulates from firing guns could help in diagnosing certain illnesses? I dunno.

Originally posted by: daniel1113
It doesn't belong on your record, but physician organizations have an agenda just like any other group.

AMSA
Western Journal of Medicine

etc.

EDIT: The last time I went to visit a doctor, I carried my 1911 into the examination room. Needless to say, he didn't have to ask about gun ownership in my house. We also spent about 15 minutes talking about his shooting competitions. :D

That seems very peculiar.
 

jlee

Lifer
Sep 12, 2001
48,518
223
106
Originally posted by: adairusmc
Just tell him the truth - you lost all of your guns in a tragic boating accident years ago. Same thing happened to me.

It's very sad. Was yours a canoe too? :(

Originally posted by: Titan
I'd be fine with this as long they asked if you own a car.

Because they have a higher statistical chance of you having a car-related injury.

Or better yet, an SUV. :)

Hmm..nope. It doesn't ask if I own a motorcycle, either.
 

Fullmetal Chocobo

Moderator<br>Distributed Computing
Moderator
May 13, 2003
13,704
7
81
I'm guessing for suicides: alcohol use, mental illness, depression, and fire arms in the house, etc.