Title: Psychiatrists’ Practices and Perceptions Regarding Anticipatory Guidance on Firearms

Publication Date: November 2007

What does it say?

Researchers investigated whether or not psychiatrists routinely offered guidance to their patients regarding firearms. Through the implementation of a mail survey, it was found that nearly half (45%) of responding psychiatrists had never thought seriously about discussing gun safety issues with their patients, despite the fact that they perceived firearm safety to be more important for mental health patients than the general population.

The researchers found that when psychiatrists had access to information about firearms, they were much more likely to offer guidance to their patients about guns.

How can I use it?

Use the information in this report to understand how to increase the likelihood that psychiatrists will assess their patients’ access to firearms.

Citation

Price, James H.; Kinnison, Andrea; Dake, Joseph A.; Thompson, Amy J.; Price, Joy A., “Psychiatrists’ Practices and Perceptions Regarding Anticipatory Guidance on Firearms,” American Journal of Preventative Medicine, (33) 5 (2007): 370-373