student research day - Case Western Reserve University School of ...

Erin Nagy Tomlinson
Patient Attitudes toward Firearm Screening in the Outpatient Clinic
Erin Nagy Tomlinson, Scott Frank, MD and Ann Reichsman, MD
CWRU School of Medicine Department of Family Medicine
Neighborhood Family Practice
This study describes patient attitudes about guns in the home and the physician role in questioning about
guns in the home. In an urban family practice clinic in Northeast Ohio, a written health habits survey was
previously developed which included the question “Have a gun at home?” 387 charts were reviewed showing a
7% overall rate of guns in the home, which varied according to primary care provider. 63 subjects were
interviewed via telephone to investigate their attitudes regarding the written survey and guns in the home. We
found that most patients do not feel mad, uncomfortable, or judged when answering the written question “Have
guns at home?” on a health habits survey. Most patients think it is an acceptable practice for a healthcare provider
to ask about guns and to advise safe storage of guns, but not to recommend removal of guns from the home.
These findings support the acceptability of a written questionnaire regarding guns in the home which can
assist a busy doctor or nurse practitioner in identifying patients who should be counseled regarding safe storage of
firearms.
Supported by Case IRB, Neighborhood Family Practice
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