scholarly journals Perceptions and Experiences of Family Physicians Regarding Firearm Safety Counseling

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 181-188
Author(s):  
Julie N. Thai ◽  
Hussein A. Saghir ◽  
Prabhat Pokhrel ◽  
Robert E. Post

Background and Objectives: Despite the growing rate of deaths caused by firearms, it is not clear what role physicians should play in counseling patients about firearm safety. This study aims to delineate the perceptions and experiences of family physicians regarding firearm safety counseling. Methods: Data were gathered as part of the 2020 Council of Academic Family Medicine’s (CAFM) Educational Research Alliance (CERA) survey of family medicine practicing physicians. Participants were practicing physicians and members of one of four major academic family medicine organizations comprising CERA. The survey was delivered to a sample of 3,665 family physicians between January 15, 2020, and March 2, 2020. This was a mixed-methods epidemiological study that analyzed quantitative and qualitative survey data. We calculated a χ2 test of independence to examine interactions between demographic characteristics and beliefs and perceptions about firearm safety counseling. Results: The overall response rate for the survey was 32.52%, with 92.7% answering questions in the firearm safety set; 93.7% of study participants viewed firearm safety as a public health issue and 95.3% felt family physicians should have the right to counsel patients on firearm safety. Family physicians who had received formal training on firearm safety counseling were significantly more likely to indicate a higher level of comfort with asking their patients about firearms (P<.0001). Conclusions: Firearm safety is an important public health issue and family physicians would benefit from receiving formal training on firearm safety counseling early in their training. More education is needed around physician-initiated firearm safety counseling.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-120
Author(s):  
Senad Burak ◽  
Edin Begic ◽  
Nedim Begic ◽  
Faris Kadic

Background: Sedentary behavior carries the risk of musculoskeletal problems, especially in the lumbosacral region of the spinal column.  According to modern lifestyle, this has begun to be a public health issue. Objective: To point to the health risks of working at the computer and present an ergonomic analysis of the typical and improved position of workers in front of the computer, thereby reducing the chances of emergence occupational diseases. Results:  Changing the position of the subjects led to a change in lumbar pressure from 2,818 N/m2 to 351 N/m2. Software analysis of the changed position indicates that this position is acceptable, both for the lumosacral region of the spine and for the abdominal muscles. Conclusions:  A change in body position will decrease lumbar moment and the load on the lumbosacral region of the spine. Work chair with lumbar support, the right desk height, setting the appropriate position of the monitor, selecting the optimal keyboard and mouse, dividing the workspace into appropriate zones, as well as changing lifestyle and habits should be part of the management of people who spend most of their working time in a sitting position.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 250-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M Hille

ObjectiveTo identify changes in the linear trend of the age-standardized incidence of melanoma in Australia for all persons, males, and females. MethodsA two-piece piecewise linear regression was fitted to the data. The piecewise breakpoint varied through an iterative process to determine the model that best fits the data.ResultsStatistically significant changes in the trendof the age-standardized incidence of melanoma in Australia were found for all persons, males, and females. The optimal breakpoint for all persons and males was at 1998. For females, the optimal breakpoint was at 2005. The trend after these breakpoints was flatter than prior to the breakpoints, but still positive.ConclusionMelanoma is a significant public health issue in Australia. Overall incidence continues to increase. However, the rate at which the incidence is increasing appears to be decreasing.


PEDIATRICS ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-351
Author(s):  
ROBERT L. CAMPBELL

To The Editor.— I'm writing to you to express my extreme disappointment at the publication of the commentary titled "Baby Bottoms and Environmental Conundrums: Disposable Diapers and the Pediatrician" that appeared in the August 1991 issue of Pediatrics.1 Public Health Issue About Diaper Disposal. The authors have treated briefly the issue of public health and diaper disposal.1,p387 The reader is left with a perception that discarded diapers pose public health hazards. While the issue of public health and the disposal of diapers and other solid wastes is important, it is treated neither adequately nor fairly in this commentary.


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