Doctors Interrogate Children as Informants on Parents' Behav

[kitty]

I thought I'd post this here, just as FYI. We had this happen to us at my child's last check-up, except it was me who was bombarded with the questions. I was so mad, I called the doctor's group and gave them an ear full, then I called my state senator, and she was aware of the problem. She and some other senators are possibly going to introduce legislation to try and stop that kind of invasion of privacy at the next legislative session. So we'll see.

Doctors Interrogate Children as Informants on Parents' Behavior
Monday, March 03, 2008 by: David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) Encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), pediatricians across the United States have begun questioning children about their parents' habits, in some cases even filing police reports based on this information, according to an opinion article published in the Boston Herald.

Article author Michael Graham recounts that his own children were asked by their doctor whether their parents used drugs and alcohol, owned guns, or were abusive. The doctor did not seek parental permission before asking the questions, nor did he inform them that they were being asked; Graham and his wife found out only after their children came home from the visits.

"The doctor wanted to know how much you and mom drink, and if I think it's too much," Graham reports his daughter saying. "She asked if you two did drugs, or if there are drugs in the house. The doctor wanted to know how we get along. And if, well, Daddy, if you made me feel uncomfortable."

Graham also reports the case of an Uxbridge, Massachusetts man who had his legal gun ownership reported to the police by his daughter's doctor. The doctor filed a police report after asking the 5-year-old girl if her father owned a gun, then following up with questions to her and her mother about the type and number of the weapons.

Graham blames the trend on guidelines issued by the AAP, which classifies parents as "persons of interest" and encourages doctors to ask children questions in order to uncover inappropriate or illegal behavior.

"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," Graham writes.

According to Graham, anti-gun advocacy by pediatricians is widespread enough that "some states are considering legislation to stop it."

"What this interrogation of children demonstrates," added consumer health advocate Mike Adams, "is just how deeply the medical establishment now believes it has total authority over the lives of patients. This kind of behavior is arrogant, outrageous and should be outlawed," Adams said.

http://www.naturalnews.com/022764.html

[texasgirl]

The doctor filed a police report after asking the 5-year-old girl if her father owned a gun, then following up with questions to her and her mother about the type and number of the weapons.

At that age my mom was always with me when I went to see the doctor. When during exams do doctors have so much alone time with kids to grill them about this stuff? I guess since I don't have kids I am just going from how things went when my parents took me to the doctor when I was a kid.

Edited: Sorry I missed the part about the mom on the first ready through I really need 5pm to get here soon. Still I'm thinking a MYOB type answer from mom is called for.

[flintknapper]

I thought I'd post this here, just as FYI. We had this happen to us at my child's last check-up, except it was me who was bombarded with the questions. I was so mad, I called the doctor's group and gave them an ear full, then I called my state senator, and she was aware of the problem. She and some other senators are possibly going to introduce legislation to try and stop that kind of invasion of privacy at the next legislative session. So we'll see.

Doctors Interrogate Children as Informants on Parents' Behavior
Monday, March 03, 2008 by: David Gutierrez

(NaturalNews) Encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), pediatricians across the United States have begun questioning children about their parents' habits, in some cases even filing police reports based on this information, according to an opinion article published in the Boston Herald.

Article author Michael Graham recounts that his own children were asked by their doctor whether their parents used drugs and alcohol, owned guns, or were abusive. The doctor did not seek parental permission before asking the questions, nor did he inform them that they were being asked; Graham and his wife found out only after their children came home from the visits.

"The doctor wanted to know how much you and mom drink, and if I think it's too much," Graham reports his daughter saying. "She asked if you two did drugs, or if there are drugs in the house. The doctor wanted to know how we get along. And if, well, Daddy, if you made me feel uncomfortable."

Graham also reports the case of an Uxbridge, Massachusetts man who had his legal gun ownership reported to the police by his daughter's doctor. The doctor filed a police report after asking the 5-year-old girl if her father owned a gun, then following up with questions to her and her mother about the type and number of the weapons.

Graham blames the trend on guidelines issued by the AAP, which classifies parents as "persons of interest" and encourages doctors to ask children questions in order to uncover inappropriate or illegal behavior.

"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," Graham writes.

According to Graham, anti-gun advocacy by pediatricians is widespread enough that "some states are considering legislation to stop it."

"What this interrogation of children demonstrates," added consumer health advocate Mike Adams, "is just how deeply the medical establishment now believes it has total authority over the lives of patients. This kind of behavior is arrogant, outrageous and should be outlawed," Adams said.

http://www.naturalnews.com/022764.html

Good for you (and us)!

If that had happened to me (or ever does)...I will come down on that Physician "like a ton of bricks". My displeasure and protest about this type of "invasion"...would begin right there in his/her office in front of God and everyone. Next step would involve just what you did (and more).

I would gladly take a weeks vacation (spending 8 hours a day)...and devote it to challenging this despicable practice at every level possible. At the end of that week....there would more than a few folks left wondering if "probing our children for information" was worth whatever agenda they had in mind.

[Kalrog]

When during exams do doctors have so much alone time with kids to grill them about this stuff? I guess since I don't have kids I am just going from how things went when my parents took me to the doctor when I was a kid.

Edited: Sorry I missed the part about the mom on the first ready through I really need 5pm to get here soon. Still I'm thinking a MYOB type answer from mom is called for.

Some of us still go back with the kids. In fact, some of us never leave the doctor alone with the kids at all. And are armed during the whole thing.

This hasn't come up - ever - at any of the pediatricians offices I have been at, but if it did I would yell boundary violation immediately and go elsewhere along with consideration of a lawsuit (although the AAP support of this stuff makes that a long shot). As much as I hate to say it, this might be a need for legislation.

[TexaNurse]

If ever you catch a doctor asking your child about guns in the house. Just hand him/her this form and ask him to review his/her malpractice insurance.

Link to the form-->http://www.2ampd.net/Articles/horn2/Fir ... 20Form.pdf

[Venus Pax]

I would not want to leave my child alone in a room with a doctor, especially when children are taught that it is okay for the doctor to see them without their clothes on. It wouldn't be hard for medical personnel to cross the line, with the child wondering where the line actually is.
Years ago, I read an article about a dentist that would drug his patients, then grope/fondle them. I realize that this is rare, but don't think it would be as likely to happen to a child if mom or dad are in the room.

[flintknapper]

If ever you catch a doctor asking your child about guns in the house. Just hand him/her this form and ask him to review his/her malpractice insurance.

Link to the form-->http://www.2ampd.net/Articles/horn2/Fir ... 20Form.pdf

Sweeeeeeet!

[Tactical_Texan_CHL]

I must say, I'd be tempted to respond with a big, loud, "Keep your big honkin' nose out of it!"

[Commander Cody]

I agree with Texasgirl. My children are grown and gone now. But when they were young their mother or myself were always present at MD appts. We felt the need to know what was going on with our childrens health. Children may forget or misinterpret what the Dr is telling them. And yes it is a violation of privacy to interogate your children.

[Abraham]

Anyone notice the author's name?

[Abraham]

Alright, since no one seemed to notice but me, "Joe Horn's" the author of the form.

I'm fairly certain not related to the one in the news lately, still...

[snubbylover]

I must be living in a vacuum. What news are you refering to?

[Kalrog]

Alright, since no one seemed to notice but me, "Joe Horn's" the author of the form.

I'm fairly certain not related to the one in the news lately, still...

I thought you meant the author of the article - and I couldn't see anything ironic about that. But the author of that form, Yeah. I saw it. And I'm sure it is a different Joe Horn.

[KC5AV]

I must be living in a vacuum. What news are you refering to?

The Joe Horn from Pasadena who shot the guys breaking into his neighbor's house.

[RPBrown]

None of my kids were ever left alone with medical personel and noe none of my grandkids are , nor will they ever be.