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1/ The reality is: 1 in 3 US households has a gun and #guns can be important to people’s culture & identity.
Clinicians can use a harm reduction approach to reduce risk for #firearminjury. When a patient takes steps, even small steps, toward safer gun storage, it’s a win.
Clinicians can use a harm reduction approach to reduce risk for #firearminjury. When a patient takes steps, even small steps, toward safer gun storage, it’s a win.
2/ So how can you effectively talk with patients about risk and the importance of safe firearm storage? Here are some key points.
3/ Be informed & respectful. Clinicians can become more trusted messengers by learning about firearms & reasons for ownership, using the right language, tailoring messaging, & collaborating with patients to find realistic solutions.
4/ Remember: The focus should be on the patient’s & clinician’s shared interest—the health & safety of the patient & their family—not opinions or politics.
5/ Assess risk. Talking about access to firearms isn’t always clinically relevant. Consider:
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Does someone at home have suicidal thoughts? Dementia? Substance misuse?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are there kids at home?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are guns stored loaded/ not locked up?
If yes, risk for gun-related injury ishttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">.
If yes, risk for gun-related injury is
Does someone at home have suicidal thoughts? Dementia? Substance misuse? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are there kids at home? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are guns stored loaded/ not locked up?If yes, risk for gun-related injury is https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">." title="5/ Assess risk. Talking about access to firearms isn’t always clinically relevant. Consider:https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Does someone at home have suicidal thoughts? Dementia? Substance misuse? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are there kids at home? https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="➡️" title="Pfeil nach rechts" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach rechts">Are guns stored loaded/ not locked up?If yes, risk for gun-related injury is https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬆️" title="Pfeil nach oben" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach oben">." class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
6/ Establish context & talk about access. Explain why you’re concerned about access to #firearms (i.e., who’s at risk & why) and ask about what steps the patient, parent, or caregiver takes to reduce access.
7/ When collaborating with patients & making recommendations, consider:
-type & level of risk
-who’s at risk
-who owns the firearms
-types of firearms
-reasons for ownership
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> risk may warrant general safe storage recs. An acute crisis may warrant a mental health intervention.
-type & level of risk
-who’s at risk
-who owns the firearms
-types of firearms
-reasons for ownership
risk may warrant general safe storage recs. An acute crisis may warrant a mental health intervention." title="7/ When collaborating with patients & making recommendations, consider:-type & level of risk -who’s at risk-who owns the firearms-types of firearms-reasons for ownershiphttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⬇️" title="Pfeil nach unten" aria-label="Emoji: Pfeil nach unten"> risk may warrant general safe storage recs. An acute crisis may warrant a mental health intervention." class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
8/ Follow up. As patients’ situations change, so does risk for firearm injury. At the next visit, you might learn there’s now a curious toddler at home or someone’s having a tough time. Check in w/ patients about changes in risk to keep the conversation about firearm access open.
9/ For more information about what YOU can do to reduce #firearminjury, check out http://www.BulletPointsProject.org"> http://www.BulletPointsProject.org
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