Introduction
Homicide and suicide are two of the leading causes of maternal mortality in the United States, with firearms in the setting of intimate partner violence (IPV) responsible for the majority of these deaths. There is no published research evaluating ObGyn physicians’ current practices related to firearm safety counseling.
Methods
We performed a pre- and post-test evaluation of ObGyn physicians following a one-hour educational intervention that reviewed maternal mortality due to gun violence, CT State Firearm Law, and best practices for safe storage and use of firearms. IRB approval was obtained through UCONN Health.
Results
A total of 78 ObGyn physicians (45 attendings, 30 residents, 3 fellows) completed the educational intervention. Of the study participants, 28.5% reported having had a patient that was killed by a firearm, with IPV accounting for 50% of these reported deaths. Only 13.5% of providers had previously received education related to firearm safety. Following the intervention, providers reported that in the setting of IPV they were more likely to change their practice knowing that there was a firearm in the home (P=.001). Additionally, the educational intervention increased provider comfort with firearm safety counseling (P<.001), knowledge of CT State Firearm Law (P<.001), and knowledge of safe storage and use of firearms (P<.001); which corresponded to the major barriers identified by providers in implementing firearm safety counseling.
Conclusion
Our educational intervention increased ObGyn physician knowledge and comfort related to firearm safety counseling. Consideration should be given to incorporating education on firearm safety counseling into ObGyn graduate and continuing medical education.