Is your pediatrician using your kid to spy on you?
In the Boston Herald, Michael Graham reports on snoopy docs interrogating kids about their parents’ gun ownership and drinking habits:
Thanks to guidelines issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics and supported by the commonwealth, doctors across Massachusetts are interrogating our kids about mom and dad’s “bad” behavior.
We used to be proud parents. Now, thanks to the AAP, we’re “persons of interest.”
The paranoia over parents is so strong that the AAP encourages doctors to ignore “legal barriers and deference to parental involvement” and shake the children down for all the inside information they can get.
And that information doesn’t stay with the doctor, either.
Debbie is a mom from Uxbridge who was in the examination room when the pediatrician asked her 5-year-old, “Does Daddy own a gun?”
When the little girl said yes, the doctor began grilling her and her mom about the number and type of guns, how they are stored, etc.
If the incident had ended there, it would have merely been annoying.
But when a friend in law enforcement let Debbie know that her doctor had filed a report with the police about her family’s (entirely legal) gun ownership, she got mad.
She also got a new doctor.
In fact, the problem of anti-gun advocacy in the examining room has become so widespread that some states are considering legislation to stop it.
Last year, my 7-year-old was asked about my guns during his physical examination. He promptly announced to the doctor that his father is the proud owner of a laser sighted plasma rifle perfect for destroying Throggs.
At least as of this writing, no police report has been filed.
“I still like my previous pediatrician,” Debbie told me. “She seemed embarrassed to ask the gun questions and apologized afterward. But she didn’t seem to have a choice.”
Of course doctors have a choice.
They could choose, for example, to ask me about my drunken revels, and not my children.
They could choose not to put my children in this terrible position.
They could choose, even here in Massachusetts, to leave their politics out of the office.
But the doctors aren’t asking us parents.
They’re asking our kids.
I’ve had to sit through gun lectures from my kids’ pediatrician, too.
We don’t use that pediatrician anymore.
***
Related:
The Social Hygiene of Gun Control
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Who needs the Stasi when you’ve got pediatricians?
Some kids may respond yes – meaning they have a toy gun.
Does that count?
Regarding this article, nothing surprises me any longer.
I’m fortunate to have not had to face these questions yet. If I ever do, I will be sure to pipe in and tell the doctor that it’s none of their business and then remove my self and my child from their care.
ROFL
This from a state that continually give us Ted “the swimmer” Kennedy? Mom and dad’s “bad” behavior?
Sorry, that is laughable.
One would think Doctors have enough malpractice issues without opening this can of worms for more lawsuits. And of course they couldnt possibly just be asking these questions to the certain children, that would be profiling and we can have that. They better just stick to prescribing amoxicillan.
I’m going to sound like a broken record, but the left is still not hearing – most likely refusing to hear…
Why are doctors asking about firearm ownership when it’s much more dangerous for a family to have a backyard pool, drive in a car, or have a staircase in their home?
Okay everybody – train your children now. Have them answer a question about guns kinda like the bumper sticker:
My daddy’s gun killed less people than Ted Kennedy’s car.
Repeat.
My daddy’s gun killed less people than Ted Kennedy’s car.
Repeat.
My daddy’s gun killed less people than Ted Kennedy’s car.
Repeat…
I can sort of see the entirely misguided logic in the other questions, but what in the world does gun ownership have to do with anything? And what in the world was there to report about it anyway???
“Yes, Sergeant Sheehan? Little Charlie Heston’s family owns…. I can’t believe this… they own GUNS!!!!”
“We’ll get right on it!”
As the mother of six children, I am well-acquainted with their pediatrician.
A doctor works for you. You owe them nothing but their fee. If my kids’ pediatrician suddenly began asking intrusive questions which have nothing to do with the health issue at hand (and behind closed doors!) we’d take our business elsewhere.
After the exam, the parents should ask the child if the doctor touched them inappropriately during the examination. If the child responds in the affirmative, the parent should then contact the authorities have have the doctor arrested.
Failing that, perhaps the parents should insist on being present while the doctor is examining the child to ensure that the doctor does not do anything inappropriate…
Those of you who are surprised by this must have missed the word
CaliforniaColoradoMassachusetts in that sentance.The ACLU should step up and defend these Peoples rights.
little teddy kennedy’s car has killed more people than my daddy’s laser guided plasma rifle killing throggs-
This was some pretty funny stuff and I needed the laugh.
If this ever happens when I finally get married and start having kids, then I will be getting a new peditrician and a complaint will go in to local medical board soon after.
It seems everybody has a price.
Do no harm, how soon they forget.
Semi-related.
Every Friday in the mail I receive the local newspaper guide (I never read it I just like doing the crossword puzzles)…well, while I am completing the puzzle this past Friday, this article adjacent to the puzzle section caught my eye. It was about children counting their calorie intake. In it, this woman said that it is up to the children to be responsible for themselves and their eating habits because she doesn’t trust that parents will do what is right by their kids.
Meanwhile, the seven year old in the article stated that “it was difficult at first (counting calories),” but now she said does it all of the time.
After reading the article I was left wondering, did they expect for a child to read this story since it was strategically placed near the puzzle section or did they expect that parents would read it and begin implementing it…either way I guess it doesn’t matter.
Now, I believe I have my answer. It’s the children they are after. Bypass mom and dad, since they don’t matter and don’t seem to know any better about guns, nutrition and the rearing of their own child.
Unbelievable.
Up here in the People’s Democratic Republic of Massachusetts, I recall my own doc asking me the same questions about gun ownership during a physical years ago. I had a little chat with him about intrusive questions about legal activities and annoying CDC propaganda. I give him credit for conceding my point and ditching the party line questionnaire.
All one has to say is this: “Let me be abundantly clear. That is none of your business.” Tax-a-choo-choo-setts should consider locking up perpetrators if they want to get guns off “da streets.”
I never let my children get examined by any doctor without either my wife or myself present. We are quick to interject if such a question arises. The doctor’s place is not in the gun lobby.
Of course, here in Baker County, Florida, I wouldn’t be surprised if our Filipina pediatrician carries a gun herself.
Yes, my daddy has a gun to protect me from pedophiles. Are you a pedophile?
Absolutely dannavy85
Yes, My Daddy has a gun, he’s in the waiting room cleaning it right now.
LOL. I hope my children give similar answers if they are ever interrogated by their doctors.
What next? Will the APA endorse waterboarding to extract information from our kids?
What kind of ‘report’ would a physician file with the police?
And why would the police take such a report?
What is the title of that report?
Can you imagine the uproar if say, the Church, began asking questions of members about their sexuality / # of abortions, etc?
The ACLU would be racing to the courthouse.
Whoops. That should have been AAP, not APA. It’s definitely Monday.
Typical SDD’s (stupid d*mn democraps)
I think I’m going to be sick. I keep my guns locked/unloaded when not in use- but this is no more the doctor’s business than whether I wear boxers or briefs (or neither!).
I thought HIPAA protected medical information? If it’s not medical information, then isn’t it a medically unethical “boundary violation” to ask?
If this is a Medical issue, it violates Federal Medical privacy law, if it is a local law enforcement issue, it violates Miranda.
We live in Mass too. Recently during a routine visit to the Lahey Clinic my wife was asked by a nurse, out of nowhere, if “she felt safe at home”.
It seems a woman married in Mass — at least to a man — is perceived to be “at risk”.
We’re such violence-prone brutes, you know….
One would think these busy-bodies would learn. Over twenty years ago a nation-wide hysteria resulted when children at day care centers were asked leading questions resulting in charges of sexual abuse, satanic rituals, and other horrors. In the notorious “Fells Acre Day School” case here, innocent people did serious jailtime, lost their homes, had their lives ruined — all because prosecutors hell-bent to convict someone, anybody, wrung false and misleading testimony out of little kids. Anyone who thinks a “wrong” answer by a child to a nosy doctor can’t result in the same kind of injustice is dreaming.
Irony:
I can’t know if my 12 year old daughter has an invasive procedure that kills a baby.
She can inform on me for gun ownership.
Kids know best.
Kid Nation, indeed.
I would have told the Dr that his next correspondence from my family would be notification from my lawyers for the lawsuit for invasion of privacy … period …
http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/content/full/20/4/385
In CA where I used to be stationed, they separate the teenagers from their parents, even in military hospitals, to ask them if they need birth control. I have spoken with some doctors and they are against it, but they don’t work in that realm of pediatrics. I do remember my daughter being asked by a doctor in CA if we had guns in the house, once years ago, and this was about 10 or more years ago.
I have also been asked if I felt safe at home. So has my husband. The people at my clinic ask know most people won’t respond by saying they don’t…but it is there just in case.
Asking about gun ownership has to be one of the stupidist things I have heard about medical care in a long time. I don’t see the point whatsoever. If they want to educate the parents on gun saftety, ask the adults. However, I highly doubt this has anything to do with gun safety.
And what the helk does a kid know about alcohol consumption?
Glad I don’t have any young children. My son is full grown and doubt very much if he will be brining any off spring into the world in the near future. Kind of reminds me of the good old days in Nazi German or Joseph Stalin’s Soviet Union. Just a matter of time before teachers are asking their students to report on their parents habits next. I really don’t see what business anyone has about a parents gun ownership unless little Johnny is in the doctor’s office for a sucking chest wound. Sounds like the AMA is all set for the coming nanny state if “she who must not be named” can steal the Presidency.
Some words were missing in my post. It should read “The people at my clinic ask even though they know most people won’t responsd…” Whoops!
fulldroolcup
It was a similar case using coerced and misused kids tales in Florida that gave us Clinton’s wonderful AG Janet Reno …
So what type of questions will be asked if the dems create socialized medicine???
This sounds a lot like how the Nazis and Soviets would have children narc on their parents if they disobyed the party line.
Looks like I need to refresh the page before I post. Great minds think a like LOL!!!
I’d immediately file a police report on the Doctor, who may be fishing for information to peddle to burglars.
Gun theft is big business.
Maybe this is all just a trial lawyer/dem conspiracy. They create a new way for doctors to get sued, medical go up as a result, and then the dems say that socialized medicine is the only way say the health care system. After that, the dems can force doctors to ask whatever questions they want
Clearly, these questions are designed by people who have a set ideology regarding both parenting and things like alcohol consumption and gun ownership.
Are we seeing the start of state interference with child-rearing? I mean, they’ve tried in the past, but are they now going to tie our health care into toeing the line on things like gun control, alcohol consumption, drug use, etc.
I can tell you there were a few times I was so angry at my parents that – had I been asked these questions – I may have given intentionally incriminating answers just because I was so upset.
That, and the questions are so general.
“Does your dad do anything to make you uncomfortable?”
Yeah, mine wore black socks with sandals and plaid pants…that made me uncomfortable? Is this an offense punishable by removing me from the home?
I can’t know if my 12 year old daughter has an invasive procedure that kills a baby.
Yep. And if your daughter suffers complications from it, chances are those who treat her will not know what to do because YOU won’t know that she had an abortion.
This is a way to figure out what parents don’t adhere to the party line if Clinton is elected.
Hillarycare, indeed. We are all in big trouble if her villiage (of idiots) starts raising OUR children.
Welcome to now Boomer. In some places…
I still can’t figure out what the report to the police was for and, more importantly, why the police would take it.
This is crazy.
My kids are all grown up with kids of their own. I will be sure to pass this on to them so they can respond witht the apppropriate, Shut up mind your own business response.
Teachers have been asking these types of questions and more since the 80’s, so the next logical step is the medical field…
Glad my kids are grown! I remember the day my daughter came home and told me the teacher had asked her questions about me like did i spank her, did i do drugs, did i have men over? I was a single mom and a regular church goer. I didn’t drink, smoke nor did I use my God-given right to spank my kids cause I knew once they started school and said something the teachers would report me.
30 pcs of silver#14–”bypass mom and dad…”.Of course ,after all it takes a village to raise an idiot,or a socialist,or maybe I mean jihadist.Oh, they are all the same.Only a Liberal could be stupid enough to say or imply that it is a 7 yr.olds responsibility to count calories.Stupid squared.
Welcome to 1984. Big Brother is watching, and he has a license to practice medicine.
I believe this is one of the latest twists by the gun control lobby to try to have guns declared a medical hazard, via the CDC, much like tobacco products. But you know what Larry the Cable Guy says, “Guns don’t kill people. It’s husbands coming home early that kill people.”
Back in February, at the tail-end of my pregnancy, I had two pretty wicked nosebleeds.
The second one was so bad it sent me – clad in bloody pajamas – to the ER.
They took me – who was terrified that nosebleeds = high blood pressure = pre-ecclampsia = baby in danger – ALONE into the ER and made my husband stay in the waiting room.
There, I was asked a few times if anyone in my home abused me. Since it was just my husband and I, I assumed the question was regarding him, and I told them “No, my husband would never abuse me.” I don’t think they believed me, and in spite of how horrible I must have looked, it should have been pretty evident by my husband’s behavior that he was not abusive.
So it’s not just kids who are being questioned about men.
Errah, “On My Soapbox” perhaps I can give you a ride to your next NRA meeting! The only thing worse than my driving errah, is my liberal logic errah! Once we socialize medicine your local pediatrician will report your guns collection to the federal polit bureau. Since they will no longer be compensated for the paitients they see they will be paid by the tips they collect. Perhaps a stay at a federal re-educat … I mean “Federal Health Camp” will be in order for you. Perhaps I can get the Guvernator there to help you get into the right mindset, errah.
The behavior of medical professionals who ask questions like this is called a “boundary violation.”
Boundary violations are grounds for a formal complaint with the state’s medical accreditation board as well as a malpractice suit.
In addition, the action of the Doctor informing on the patient to the police violates the federal HIPPA law, dealing with doctor/patient confidentiality and privacy.
Recommendations by the American Pediatrics Association do not trump federal law or case law concerning malpractice.
If it were me, even if I lived in Mass (and thank God, I don’t), whose child or spouse was asked questions about either gun ownership or alcohol use, I would contact a lawyer in order to sue for malpractice, to be followed up with a formal written complaint to the state medical board about that doctor’s boundary violation. And if my lawyer finds out that my now-former physican informed on me to the police, I would make it a federal case for violating the HIPPA law.
Alcohol consumption and firearm ownership ARE LEGAL ACTIVITIES. Doctors have NO BUSINESS asking family members about your personal activities. And if they do, they need to be slapped down, HARD!
I work in the medical field; my speciality being respiratory peds. If that rule ever came to my work, there is no way I would use it. Yes, HIPPA is the primary…not some state law. I guess I would have to choose between asking the questions or walking away to a new field. I bought new shoes last week. You guess…..
LOL Teddy. Have a Miller on me!
Nanny State? What Nanny State???
Sounds ridiculous to me. Not sure why any parent wouldn’t be in the examination room during the appointment however.
Sometimes, doctors ask about sexual behavior, drug use, and drinking – by the minor. Which I have no problem with per se, save that the doctor has no ability to inform me – the parent – of such behavior.
As soapbox said, my 12 year old could be smuggled across state lines, given an abortion, and brought back and I wouldn’t be the wiser.
Parental rights, indeed.
We parents need a revolution.
How about “Does Mommy own a gun?”
—–
And what’s it matter if the gun is in mommy’s purse or in daddy’s belt?
This sounds alarmingly to me like a sort of “data-mining” in order to gather information for future “qualifying guidelines” for universal healthcare.
Your wife is obviously NOT from Fayetteville, North Carolina or you could not possibly ask that question – LOL!
El Rushbo has referred to this case by comparing it to the movie he’s been recommending, The Lives of Others, about how the East German Secret Police used people to spy on and report on their neighbors.
When the AAP has become an arm of the American version of the East German Secret Police, it is truly frightening. We already have gummint-run skoolz requried by law to report anything they think might be child abuse and as such we find anti-spanking Nazis reporting parents to the child welfare Gestapo for spanking their kids.
Welcome to Shrillary’s Village.
Wow…Doctors are forbidden from asking a patients legal residency status, but they are allowed to grill about guns? Then they go and file police reports? i was not aware that owning firearms needed to be a police matter. After all, since they had to pass the check to get them in the first place, why do the cops need to know? Then again, coming from the state that continually re-elects kerry and violates laws concerning marriage, one shouldn’t be too surprised. By the way…what ever happened to Doctor/Patient confidentiality? Aren’t doctors forbidden by law from discussing anything that a patient tells them?
All of my kids can tell the doctor “******** gave me one of my own! Wanna see it?”
The day of birth is the best time to get them a gift that will hardly ever depreciate.
Can’t the parents cut this conversation off? Or are they prohibited by law from doing so?
Not only would I find another doctor for my child I’d tell that one what I thought of him in no uncertain terms. If he didnt like it he could take it up with his masters.
I am so glad to see a little sunlight on this.
This summer my 12 yo boy needed a physical for a camping trip via scouts. I told my son to expect – ahem – a little more invasive examination in the private area (i.e. told him what to expect so it was not a a shock, but no amount of mental prep will erase embarrassment at any age I suspect)
He said he’d like me to be with him in the examination room after I gave him the choice. He’s a super healthy kid, but we did have one physical problem. His feet hurt really bad after a lot of exercise or running, my hunch is he does not tie his shoe laces tight to be cool and therefore no support.
Anyways, when the female doctor did finally arrive I informed her his only issue was the feet thing. She then proceeded to do the usual check up and then the inquisition came…Are you made to wear a seat belt? What do you eat, what do your meals consist of? Do you wear a helmet when riding a bike? What time do your parents make you go to bed? Do your parents smoke? and on and on.
Then when the private area examination came time she asked him if he’d like his mom to leave the room. He said no. Then she told me to look the other way!!! “mom, could you please look the other way while I perform …”
Ok. I was so amazed by this, it wasn’t until after I left that I realized she never even checked the ONE problem I informed her about – his feet! (Bad of me not to thought of it, but I was just so floored and I guess my natural inclination was to get the hell out of there).
My son told me unsolicited that he wasn’t embarrassed at all until she asked me to look away, he said it made him feel weird.
We called an complained to a patient relations person. The first smug jerk told us he’d worry if a doctor didn’t ask his children these things, what’s your problem. NEXT – i asked to talk to his boss, I had 2 people to complain about now.
Ultimately, this person agreed with me and said it was very alarming the doctor did not examine the one issue informed of. I told him that general questions or nutrition reminders are ok, but none of these quests pertained to his immediate health — and there were no questions like “do you have any stomach problems” pertaining to digestion, they were probing parental “what does you parent feed you”
As a physician I will tell you:
The Academy of Pediatrics stinks. They have always had very strange ideas and have likely been responsible for more childhood injury and death than you are aware with their policies.
If a physician informs the police about any issue except child abuse, you can sue that physician as a breach of patient/doctor priveledge. Remind your physician at the time of questioning that not only is the child his patient, but you have rigts as well and that his insurance will likely not cover overtly stupid acts.
Never, ever under any circumstances leave a child alone in a clinic.