Availability and Utility of Medical Education in Child and Adolescent Firearm Safety Screening

Abstract

Abstract Data was collected on firearm safety screenings during the pediatrics clerkship. Optional, anonymous surveys were emailed to third-year medical students (n = 79) and their pediatric preceptors (n = 37) at one medical school. Questions pertained to firearm access, as well as adequacy of medical education on firearm safety screenings and confidence conducting them. 35.3% of pediatric preceptors did not ask patients about firearms. 32.5% of medical students left their pediatric clerkship naive to the leading cause of death in U.S. children and teens. 24.2% of pediatric preceptors agreed or strongly agreed that they had enough training in firearm safety screening, compared to 51.5% of medical students. 48.6% of medical students reported firearm safety screening training prior to clerkships through longitudinal clinical skills and professionalism courses, but 50.8% favored learning on clinical rotations. Education goals for firearm safety screening are not well-defined, revealing the need for standardized, widespread curriculum in medical school.