The Supportive Hospital-based Intervention for Firearm Trauma (SHIFT) study is an evaluation of a hospital-based violence intervention designed to reduce firearm violence in New Orleans, LA. The study began in 2022 and is one of two research projects housed at the Tulane Center for Youth Equity, a CDC-funded Youth Violence Prevention Center.
When someone is injured, they go to the hospital. The doctors, nurses, and staff there assist them in healing their bodies. However, it is equally important that individuals who have experienced a traumatic event receive support like counseling and resources, so they can get better in other ways and reduce the likelihood that they experience violence again.
In partnership with University Medical Center, the SHIFT team is recruiting individuals ages 16-24, who have experienced a gunshot wound or stab wound and live in the greater New Orleans area.
Participation in the study includes a unique opportunity to potentially receive additional support beyond healthcare, such as:
- Connecting to housing, employment, education, & other resources outside of medical care that can help in recovery
- Working with a licensed clinical social worker to set & reach personal goals
- Participating in firearm safety training & receiving a safe firearm storage device
By agreeing to participate in the study, individuals will be asked to:
- Complete three surveys over six months
- Potentially complete six-monthly sessions with a licensed clinical social worker
- Potentially participate in a safe storage workshop and receive a biometric firearm lock box
- Opt into a post-study interview (1-1.5 hours)
Individuals can participate for no charge and will receive compensation for each survey completed and participation in the post-study interview. Transportation to meetings can be provided; however, there is potential for study events to be completed remotely through self-administered surveys and virtual visits.
