Strengthening Doctor-Patient Relationships Through Hospital-Based Violence Interventions

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Community Violence Prevention
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• Persistent high rates of community violence in Chicago disproportionately affect low-income communities of color.
• Structural inequities and weakened social safety nets exacerbate violence, particularly post-COVID-19.
• Decreased public trust in existing health and social systems necessitates innovative intervention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the Violence Recovery Program (VRP), a hospital-based intervention model.
• To highlight the role of frontline paraprofessional prevention workers with lived experience.
• To demonstrate a collaborative approach addressing social determinants of health and community violence.

Main Methods:

• The VRP utilizes a multidisciplinary, hospital-based model.
• It leverages the "cultural capital" of "credible messengers" (prevention workers with lived experience).
• The program focuses on trauma-informed care, risk assessment for reinjury, and connecting patients to wrap-around services.

Main Results:

• Since 2018, the VRP has engaged over 6,000 victims of violence.
• Three-quarters of patients reported unmet social determinants of health needs.
• Over the past year, more than one-third of engaged patients received referrals for mental health and social services.

Conclusions:

• Hospital-based violence intervention programs can professionalize prevention workers and rebuild community trust.
• Addressing social determinants of health through community partnerships is crucial for comprehensive violence recovery.
• The VRP model shows promise in mitigating violence and improving health outcomes in vulnerable populations.