Perspectives on artificial intelligence supported firearm access screening and storage counseling in pediatric emergency care

AI Summary

PEM physicians view firearm access screening and counselling as important but implementation in pediatric EDs is inconsistent.
Key barriers include limited time, lack of standardised protocols, unclear role responsibility, insufficient training, and constrained resources.
Many clinicians are open to AI for patient identification, counselling language, and documentation but worry about workflow burden, accuracy, and patient safety.

AI Summary

While artificial intelligence (AI) tools may help address barriers, little is known about providers perspectives on AI tools for firearm screening and safe storage counseling.

OBJECTIVES: Assess Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) physicians' attitudes toward firearm screening and counseling, perceived barriers to implementation, and acceptability of AI enabled strategies to support firearm injury prevention in the pediatric ED.

Basic summary

Am J Emerg Med. 2026 Jun 8;108:95-101. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2026.06.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Lethal means counseling in the emergency department (ED) is associated with increased firearm safe storage, and ED based screening and counseling programs can identify and create opportunities for intervention for at risk youth; however, implementation in pediatric EDs remains inconsistent. While artificial intelligence (AI) tools may help address barriers, little is known about providers perspectives on AI tools for firearm screening and safe storage counseling.

OBJECTIVES: Assess Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) physicians’ attitudes toward firearm screening and counseling, perceived barriers to implementation, and acceptability of AI enabled strategies to support firearm injury prevention in the pediatric ED.

METHODS: We conducted a national, cross-sectional survey of PEM physicians. The survey assessed current screening practices, perceived barriers, and attitudes toward AI powered tools. Descriptive statistics summarized quantitative responses, and qualitative thematic analysis was performed on open-ended responses.

RESULTS: Of 687 eligible physicians, 296 responded (43.1%), with 274 (39.9%) completing the survey. Most respondents endorsed the importance of firearm access screening and counseling. Commonly reported barriers included limited time, lack of standardized protocols, unclear role responsibility, insufficient training, and limited resources. More than half of respondents reported prior exposure to AI tools, and many expressed openness to AI assisted approaches, particularly for identifying patients for screening, providing counseling language, and facilitating documentation. Concerns focused on workflow burden, accuracy, and patient safety.

CONCLUSIONS: PEM physicians recognize firearm screening and counseling as important, but face implementation barriers. Clinician centered, workflow integrated AI tools may offer a promising strategy to enhance firearm injury prevention in pediatric emergency care.

PMID:42296675 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2026.06.009

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