Practice Notes: Strategies in Health Education
Abstract
The Practice Notes section is intended to keep readers informed about health education practice around the country. It is an attempt to spread the word about exemplary strategies, initiatives, and programs and share successes in overcoming obstacles or challenges. Periodically, articles presenting perspectives on practice-related issues are also included in Practice Notes. Program: Safe Storage of Firearms: A Guide for Clinical Practitioners Sponsors: Public Health–Seattle & King County, Violence and Injury Prevention Unit, and University of Washington, Master in Public Health, Community-Oriented Public Health Practice Program Objectives As a strategy to reduce firearm-related deaths and injuries, Public Health–Seattle & King County developed a module to train clinicians on how to speak to patients about firearm storage. This project had two objectives: The first was to use the module to conduct trainings with clinicians in community clinics in King County, Washington. The second was to determine if after attending the training, providers were more likely to counsel patients about safe firearm storage. Assessment of Needs Firearms are a significant contributor to injuries in Washington and King County, Washington. From 2000 to 2004, firearms caused 2,665 deaths and 1,222 serious injuries (Washington State Department of Health, 2006). Furthermore, the 2004