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FIREARM INJURY PREVENTION COUNSELING: A STUDY OF PEDIATRICIANS' BELIEFS AND PRACTICES

NCJ Number
143342
Journal
Pediatrics Volume: 89 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1992) Pages: 902-907
Author(s)
D W Webster; M E H Wilson; A K Duggan; L C Pakula
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article reports on the methodology and findings of a survey of a sample of Maryland pediatricians regarding their beliefs and counseling practices related to firearm injury prevention.
Abstract
Of the 980 persons sent questionnaires, 684 completed and returned them. Survey results indicate that respondents were skeptical about the protective value of firearms in the home, and most supported gun control measures. Only one-fifth believed that most families with handguns keep them inaccessible to children; however, may seemed to believe that the children at risk were in practices other than their own. Among those providing direct ambulatory care, 40 percent had a patient who had been shot. Seventy-four percent believed pediatricians have a responsibility to counsel families about firearms. Only 13 percent believed parents would be offended if guns were included in anticipatory guidance discussions. Even so, only 30 percent had ever provided such counseling. Just half of the respondents agreed that they know what to tell families about firearms. Ninety percent were very likely to counsel parents to store guns unloaded and locked up; whereas, 54 percent were very likely to advise parents to remove guns from the home. More than two-thirds believed parents would heed their advice about storing firearms, and 30 percent believed parents would follow advice about having guns. Overall, findings indicate pediatricians are ready to counsel about firearm injury prevention but are not yet doing so. 22 references