Violence Intervention Program for Gunshot Wounds

(MS-VIP Trial)

Overseen By Masoumeh Karimi, PHD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Mississippi Medical Center

Disqualifiers: Self-inflicted wounds, Incarceration, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests three approaches to assist individuals injured by gunshots, aiming to identify the most effective method for reducing future violence and aiding recovery. Participants will receive either unrestricted cash assistance, mobile community event support, or a combination of a hospital-linked violence intervention program and community services. The trial seeks individuals recently injured by a firearm who live in specific areas. It will help determine how these interventions can improve recovery and safety for those affected by violence. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could enhance recovery and safety for gunshot victims.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for this trial?

The trial protocol does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for participants?

Research shows that the three approaches tested in this study have been used successfully in various contexts. Here's a simple overview of their safety:

1. **Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program**: Studies indicate these programs are generally safe, providing support and resources to individuals recovering from violence-related injuries. No significant negative effects have been reported.

2. **Mobile Community Event Support**: Research on similar services shows they are well-received, offering help and resources to people in their communities. Past studies have not identified any major safety issues.

3. **Unrestricted Cash Assistance**: This approach has not been linked to serious safety problems. It involves providing cash to meet immediate needs. While concerns about cash usage may exist, studies have not found any direct harm from the assistance itself.

Overall, these approaches focus on providing support and help rather than medical treatments, avoiding the usual risks associated with medications. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Violence Intervention Program for Gunshot Wounds because it takes a holistic approach to recovery and prevention, which is different from standard hospital care. This program is unique because it provides Unrestricted Cash Assistance to address immediate needs, coordinates Mobile Community Support Services for on-site help, and activates Operation Good to bridge hospital and community services. These elements aim to not only support recovery but also reduce the risk of re-injury or retaliation by addressing the socio-economic factors that contribute to violence. This comprehensive strategy could transform how we approach violence-related injuries, making it a potentially game-changing intervention.

What evidence suggests that this trial's interventions could be effective in preventing violence and supporting those affected by gunshot wounds?

This trial will compare an active intervention arm with an inactive arm. Research has shown that programs linked to hospitals, such as the Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program in this trial, can reduce repeat injuries and retaliation by connecting victims with community resources. Participants in the active arm will receive Mobile Community Event Support, which studies have found effectively lowers repeat injuries among high-risk individuals by providing help directly where needed. Additionally, Unrestricted Cash Assistance, another component of the active arm, can meet immediate needs, potentially reducing stress and the likelihood of further violence. These efforts aim to support recovery and prevent additional harm, showing promise in improving outcomes for those affected by gun violence. ^{1 2 3 6 7}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Lei Zhang, PHD

Principal Investigator

Associate Dean For Research And Scholarship

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals affected by gun violence, specifically those who have suffered a gunshot wound. The study aims to support their recovery and prevent further incidents of violence. Participants will be involved in the program over three years and must be willing to complete surveys at enrollment and follow-ups.

Inclusion Criteria

Firearm injury within the last 24 hours prior to their arrival at the University of Mississippi Medical Center

The research team contacted me within 3 days of my arrival.

I am willing to participate in all parts of the study, including operations, surveys, and receiving cash assistance.

Exclusion Criteria

I am able to understand and consent to the clinical trial.

Self-inflicted gunshot wounds

Patients who are incarcerated or in-custody

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Implementation of community-focused interventions including Unrestricted Cash Assistance, Mobile Community Support Services, and Operation Good

3 years

Ongoing community and hospital-based interactions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after intervention, with follow-up surveys at 3, 6, and 12 months

3 years

Follow-up surveys at 3, 6, and 12 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program
• Mobile Community Event Support
• Unrestricted Cash Assistance

Trial Overview The effectiveness of three interventions: a hospital-linked community program, unrestricted cash assistance, and mobile community event support are being tested. These aim to reduce firearm injuries, aid victim recovery, minimize retaliation/re-injury rates, and assess health economics impact.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Active Arm Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Intervention: It includes three key components: 1. Unrestricted Cash Assistance provided to individuals to support their immediate needs, 2. Mobile Community Support Services that offer on-site assistance and resources, and 3. Activation of Operation Good with coordination between hospital and community services to ensure seamless support for individuals affected by violence, promoting recovery and reducing the risk of re-injury or retaliation.

Group II: In-Active Arm Active Control 1 Intervention

This group will receive no intervention beyond the standard care provided in the hospital setting. No additional services, cash assistance, or community-based support will be offered. This arm will serve as a comparison group to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Mississippi Medical Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

185

Recruited

200,000+

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Collaborator

Trials

2,896

Recruited

8,053,000+

National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)

Collaborator

Trials

473

Recruited

1,374,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The Prescription for Hope (RxH) program significantly reduced the odds of violent reinjury among participants, with a 65% lower chance of being reinjured after a violent incident, based on a study of 992 patients over a 2-year period.

However, participation in RxH was also associated with increased odds of new convictions for violent crime, suggesting that while the program may help prevent further injuries, it may not address underlying issues related to violent behavior.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Violent injury prevention does not equal to violent crime prevention: an analysis of violence intervention program efficacy using propensity score methods. Holler Mph, E., Ortiz Md, D., Mohanty Md Ms, S., et al.[2022]

The CeaseFire program, which integrates hospital resources with community violence interrupters, aims to reduce penetrating trauma rates in a specific area (zip code 70113) by providing support from the moment of injury through recovery and community reintegration.

While the overall incidence of penetrating trauma in Orleans Parish increased during the study period, the target area (70113) experienced a slower rate of increase compared to adjacent zip codes, suggesting that the program may have a positive impact on violence reduction over time.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Operation CeaseFire-New Orleans: an infectious disease model for addressing community recidivism from penetrating trauma. McVey, E., Duchesne, JC., Sarlati, S., et al.[2014]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12340368/

Hospital-based Violence Intervention Programs May ... This commentary will examine HVIPs in Canada as a model for addressing violence-related health disparities to better support communities.

2. everytownresearch.org everytownresearch.org/report/hospital-based-violence-intervention-programs-a-guide-to-implementation-and-costing/

Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs: A Guide to ... The hospital in this example is one with an emergency department or trauma center serving at least 100 patients with nonfatal violence-related ...

3. aha.org aha.org/costsofviolence

The Burden of Violence to U.S. Hospitals In 2022, there were 2,105,245 nonfatal and 73,989 fatal violence-related injuries that occurred in the U.S.11,19,20 Violence also occurs in ...

4. ojp.gov ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/305095.pdf

Formative Evaluation of a Hospital-based Violence ... The program initially targeted victims of gunshot wounds; however, the hospital later expanded the types of patients to include those who are victims of ...

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06736730

Mississippi Violence Injury Prevention (VIP) Program Behavioral : Hospital-Linked Violence Intervention Program. Activation of ... Wounds, Penetrating. Wounds and Injuries. Wounds, Gunshot. Reinjuries. Plan ...

6. cdc.gov cdc.gov/firearm-violence/php/research-summaries/hospital-based-prevention.html

Hospital-based firearm violence and suicide prevention Hospitals and medical facilities are the primary places where treatment of injuries from firearms occurs. A recent study found that gun violence ...

7. east.org east.org/education-resources/practice-management-guidelines/details/hospitalbased-violence-intervention-programs-targeting-adult-populations

Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs Targeting ... An acute violent injury treated in the emergency department often represents the 'primary or sole access point to the healthcare system' for those most at risk ...