Preventing Retaliatory Gun Violence in Violently Injured Adults: A RCT of a Hospital-Based Intervention
Virginia Commonwealth University
Summary
The purpose of this research study is to find out if a hospital-based violence intervention (Bridging the Gap) is effective for reducing violence. The researchers think that adults who receive Bridging the Gap will see greater improvements than those who do not receive the intervention. This study will allow them to learn more about the intervention's effectiveness. The study will also help them understand if the violence intervention affects other behaviors, such as firearm use, drug use, aggression, risky behaviors, and rates of violent re-injury.
Description
Approximately 616 patients will enroll in this study. Participants will be asked to complete sessions about behavior, personality, and experiences. Participants will be randomized into a study group (either Bridging the Gap or Treatment as Usual) by drawing a number. If patients agree to the study but do not like the group they are assigned to, they can request to switch groups. Participants assigned to the Treatment as Usual intervention will receive a brief violence awareness brochure during your hospital stay. Participants assigned to the Bridging the Gap intervention will receive an in-hos…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * They receive treatment in the hospital for a violence-related injury (e.g., gunshot wound) * They are 18 years or older * They are English speaking * They are eligible for BTG services (which includes living within the BTG catchment area for the hospital; Richmond City and neighboring counties) Exclusion Criteria: * Non-English speaking * Age \<18 * Prisoners
Interventions
- BehavioralBridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap Bridging the Gap is a hybrid model for violence prevention which integrates a hospital-based brief violence intervention (BVI) delivered to the patient while in hospital with a wrap-around community case management prevention strategy. Firearm Counseling Program The firearm counseling program was developed to be administered in the hospital alongside the 6-step intervention program, as well as in the patient's home after hospital discharge. The firearm safety counseling program includes 3 components aimed at understanding patient risk, reducing firearm-related violence risk-factors, and helping patients increase firearm safety practices.
Location
- Virginia Commonwealth UniversityRichmond, Virginia