Implementation of an Outpatient Violence Intervention Program to Increase Service Uptake

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Trauma Surgery
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) face recruitment and retention challenges.
• Violence intervention programs (VIPs) aim to reduce violence and promote prevention services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of integrating an outpatient VIP into a trauma clinic.
• To evaluate the uptake and long-term participation in violence prevention services through an outpatient model.

Main Methods:

• Eligible patients previously hospitalized for intent-to-harm were recruited during outpatient follow-up.
• VIP counselors offered services during clinic visits; participants were followed for 6 months.
• Outcomes measured included survey completion, expressed interest, and ultimate service uptake at 6 months.

Main Results:

• Out of 76 eligible patients, 42 were offered participation, with 32 completing the survey.
• 57.1% expressed interest in VIP services, but only 5 (20.8%) ultimately participated, yielding a 11.9% 6-month participation rate.
• This outpatient participation rate (11.9%) significantly exceeds the 2019 inpatient recruitment rate (2.4%).

Conclusions:

• Integrating outpatient VIPs into trauma clinics is feasible but does not overcome existing challenges in long-term participant retention.
• While initial interest is high, actual sustained engagement in violence prevention services remains low.
• Investigating the reasons for low participation is crucial for improving VIP effectiveness.