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Research ArticleOriginal Article

Family Practice Patients' Attitudes Toward Firearm Safety as a Preventive Medicine Issue: A HARNET Study

Allen F. Shaughnessy, Joseph A. Cincotta, Alan Adelman and for the Harrisburg Area Research Network (HARNET)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice September 1999, 12 (5) 354-359; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.12.5.354
Allen F. Shaughnessy
From the Harrisburg Family Practice Residency (AFS), Harrisburg, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University School of Medicine (AFS), Philadelphia; the Shepherdstown Family Practice (JAC), Mechanicsburg; and the Department of Family Medicine (AA), Milton S. Hershey School of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. Address reprint requests to Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, Harrisburg Family Practice Residency, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700
PharmD
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Joseph A. Cincotta
From the Harrisburg Family Practice Residency (AFS), Harrisburg, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University School of Medicine (AFS), Philadelphia; the Shepherdstown Family Practice (JAC), Mechanicsburg; and the Department of Family Medicine (AA), Milton S. Hershey School of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. Address reprint requests to Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, Harrisburg Family Practice Residency, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700
MD
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Alan Adelman
From the Harrisburg Family Practice Residency (AFS), Harrisburg, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University School of Medicine (AFS), Philadelphia; the Shepherdstown Family Practice (JAC), Mechanicsburg; and the Department of Family Medicine (AA), Milton S. Hershey School of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. Address reprint requests to Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, Harrisburg Family Practice Residency, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700
MD, MSPH
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From the Harrisburg Family Practice Residency (AFS), Harrisburg, and the Medical College of Pennsylvania, Hahnemann University School of Medicine (AFS), Philadelphia; the Shepherdstown Family Practice (JAC), Mechanicsburg; and the Department of Family Medicine (AA), Milton S. Hershey School of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. Address reprint requests to Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, Harrisburg Family Practice Residency, PO Box 8700, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8700
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Abstract

Background: Firearm-related deaths are expected to outnumber motor-vehicle-related deaths within the next 5 years. The goal of this project was to document gun ownership and safety habits among patients of family physicians and to determine patients' attitudes toward physician counseling about firearm safety.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of patients of 11 family practices affiliated with a research network. Patients (or parents of children) were asked to complete a 23-item questionnaire that asked about gun ownership, storage, sources of information about gun safety, and attitudes about gun safety, and the role of their physician.

Results: Of the 1359 questionnaires distributed, 1214 (89%) were returned. Gun ownership varied by location (urban, suburban, and rural) and ranged from 16% to 59%. Only 8% of respondents believed that their physician has a responsibility to discuss firearm safety. Most (91%) patients did not view their physician as a source of firearm safety information, and only 14% thought their physician was knowledgeable regarding gun safety. Most gun owners (71%) did not think they would follow their physicians' advice about gun storage. Most patients (57%) responded that gun safety should not be discussed during the office visit.

Conclusion: With regard to firearm safety, family physicians lack credibility in the eyes of their patients. These patients do not appear to be receptive to information about firearm safety, and efforts to decrease firearm-related injury might be more effective if focused elsewhere.

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The Journal of the American Board of Family     Practice: 12 (5)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
Vol. 12, Issue 5
1 Sep 1999
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Family Practice Patients' Attitudes Toward Firearm Safety as a Preventive Medicine Issue: A HARNET Study
Allen F. Shaughnessy, Joseph A. Cincotta, Alan Adelman, for the Harrisburg Area Research Network (HARNET)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Sep 1999, 12 (5) 354-359; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.12.5.354

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Family Practice Patients' Attitudes Toward Firearm Safety as a Preventive Medicine Issue: A HARNET Study
Allen F. Shaughnessy, Joseph A. Cincotta, Alan Adelman, for the Harrisburg Area Research Network (HARNET)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice Sep 1999, 12 (5) 354-359; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.12.5.354
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