How physicians can talk to patients about gun safety: 4 things to know

Researchers published a clinical guide to help physicians identify and talk with patients at risk for firearm injuries in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers from UC Davis Health's Violence Prevention Research Program in Sacramento, Calif.; Brown University in Providence, R.I.; the University of Colorado in Boulder and Stanford (Calif.) University created the guide, which summarizes existing studies and expert opinions on gun safety.

Four things to know:

1. Over 70 percent of clinicians believe they play a role in firearm injury prevention, but less than half discuss firearms with patients.

2. The highest-risk populations for firearm injury include teens and young adults, African Americans, and people in cities and southern states. Risk factors include substance abuse, prior violent activity and abusive partner relationships.

3. The guide suggests addressing firearm concerns through collaborative conversations with patients. It also outlines strategies for risk identification, counseling and potential interventions, if needed.

4. Seventy percent of patients who own guns are "somewhat comfortable" discussing gun ownership with clinicians, according to a 2016 survey cited in the guide.

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