Summer Newell; Emily Kenyon; Khaya D. Clark; Victoria Elliott; Annabelle Rynerson; Martha S. Gerrity; Elizabeth Karras; Joseph A. Simonetti; Steven K. Dobscha
Corresponding Author: Summer Newell; VA Portland Health Care System. Email: summer.newell@va.gov
Section: Original Research
Publication: 3/26/2021
Background: Discussing safe storage of firearms, including access, during times of crisis with Veterans in primary care settings may enhance suicide prevention efforts. However, Veteran attitudes toward discussing firearms storage safety with primary care team members are not well understood. The goal of this study is to understand the perspectives of Veterans who have positive mental health screens on discussing firearms storage safety with primary care staff during primary care visits. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews with Veterans were conducted between April and August 2019 by telephone, qualitatively coded, and analyzed for themes. The sample was comprised of Veterans (N = 27) who had positive depression or posttraumatic stress disorder screens, and who received care from Veterans Health Administration primary care team members who had been trained to discuss firearms storage safety with patients. Results: Citing the urgent need to prevent Veteran suicide, most Veterans felt discussing firearms safety was acceptable and needed, even if discussions felt uncomfortable or they had concerns. Sources of discomfort or concerns included feeling that questioning was too personal or that providers’ motives for asking about firearms might not be clear. Veterans identified the need for providers to be transparent in their purposes for asking about firearms, and to respect Veterans’ unique relationships with firearms. Discussion: Conducting firearms safety discussions in a primary care setting with Veterans who are at elevated risk for suicide is acceptable to Veterans when a respectful, Veteran-centered, and transparent approach is used.