Impact and Outcomes of a Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program in Columbia, SC

Goals: The first goal of the project is to conduct a process evaluation of the implementation of a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) located in Prisma Hospital, Columbia, South Carolina, to assess the program’s ability to accomplish their goal of providing direct services to trauma patients and connecting trauma patients to violence prevention organizations and services. The second goal of the project is to conduct an outcome evaluation of the effectiveness of the HVIP on trauma patients’ experiences, wellbeing, and behavior.

Objectives: (1) To assess the extent to which the HVIP provides direct services to trauma patients, including the types of frequency of services offered; (2) Evaluate the effectiveness of the HVIP in connecting trauma patients to violence prevention organizations and services, including the number and types of referrals made; (3) Identify barriers and facilitators to the successful implementation of the HVIP; (4) Document the processes and protocols used by the HVIP to ensure consistency and quality of services provided to trauma patients; (5) Measure changes in trauma patients’ psychological and physical wellbeing resulting from participation in the HVIP; (6) Analyze the impact of the HVIP on trauma patients’ behavior; (7) Assess trauma patients’ satisfaction with the HVIP services and their perceptions of the program’s effectiveness in addressing their needs.

Research Questions: (1) Does the implementation of an HVIP increase the types and frequency of services used by trauma patients? (2) Does participation in the HVIP reduce involvement in violence? (3) Does participation in the HVIP reduce risk factors and increase protective factors among program participants?

Research Design and Methods: The project uses a mixed-methods approach that is community-informed. We propose to analyze program data and conduct interviews of project participants, program staff, and service providers. We will also collect self-report measures using experiential sampling surveys, monthly, and annual surveys. The outcome evaluation involves a comparison of HVIP participants and same-aged individuals and injury characteristics from comparable zip codes in the same county.

Work Products: Work products include conference presentations, scholarly articles, research briefs written for lay audiences, and webinars for healthcare providers.

Dissemination Plan: The dissemination plan targets a range of audiences including presentations at professional conferences, a local conference of victim service providers, the state health department, a webinar for Prisma Health employees, and a community forum. We will also publish the results in peer-reviewed journals, including at least one open access journal. CA/NCF