How to talk with other health care professionals about firearm screenings and violence intervention
Firearm injuries are now the leading cause of death for children and teens ages 1‑17 in the U.S., and changing that statistic will require a collaborative effort between individuals, families, health care professionals, and other community members.
Some health care professionals want to help prevent youth firearm injuries, but are unsure how they can be most effective. The more you know about firearm screenings and violence intervention, the better you can educate others and encourage them to take action. Talk with other health care professionals at work, in your community, and online, to educate each other and share best practices.
When to start the conversation
Health care professionals have busy schedules, so if you have a few minutes to chat with a colleague, that’s the right opportunity. Don’t wait for the perfect moment. A short conversation can plant the seed for longer talks in the future. Encourage your colleagues to come back to you if they have thoughts and questions.
As a health care professional, you are committed to helping people stay healthy and safe. Learn how to start conversations with parents or caregivers about youth firearm injury prevention.
What to say
The right approach will vary depending on the circumstances and how well you know the other health care professional. You might mention something you saw or read about preventing youth firearm injuries, share a conversation you had with a patient about firearm safety, or ask for your colleague’s advice on a related topic.
“If you think a patient may be at risk of a firearm injury, how do you usually bring it up with them? Do you find that patients are usually open to discussing secure firearm storage with you?”
“When I talk with the parents of young patients about household safety and determinants of health, I’ve started asking if they have any unlocked firearms in their home, and we’ve had some really interesting conversations. Is this something you typically talk to patients about?”
“I took an online course about firearm safety counseling, and now I feel more comfortable talking with patients about the risks associated with having unsecured firearms in the home. Want me to share the link?”
After the chat
If a colleague expresses interest in learning more about how to prevent youth firearm injuries, share a few resources or follow up with them to keep the conversation going.
If you have several people interested, offer to lead a short workshop on how health care professionals are addressing this issue one-on-one with patients and through larger efforts like hospital-based violence intervention programs.
If anyone asks questions you aren’t sure how to answer, let them know you will try to find answers and get back to them. Check our resources page to learn more.
The information provided on this site is for general education purposes. Consult your health care professional for specific advice. Call or text 988 if you or a loved one is in crisis.
Resources and tools
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