Faculty Collaboration Database

Identifying Outpatient Social Determinants of Health Concerns Among Firearm Injury Survivors. J Trauma Nurs 2026 Jan-Feb 01;33(1):6-14

Date

11/07/2025

Pubmed ID

41202208

DOI

10.1097/JTN.0000000000000893

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-105027196366 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health (SDOH) can impact recovery after traumatic injury, but specific social needs of firearm injury survivors have not been well documented.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to document the resources provided to urban firearm injury survivors immediately after hospital discharge, highlighting their outpatient SDOH needs during recovery.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort review of all firearm injury survivors seen at an outpatient clinic in a Midwestern, U.S. urban Level I trauma center, from November 2020 through October 2022. Patients were evaluated by the clinic's master's-level social worker, who conducted comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments and documented resources provided in routine care notes. The resources provided were abstracted from social work notes and grouped by SDOH domains.

RESULTS: Of the 255 patients evaluated, most were young (32.1 years), Black (80.4%), and male (81.6%); 43.1% sustained severe injuries (Injury Severity Score ≥ 16). Most patients received at least one resource (74.5%). Over half of patients received a financial resource (53.7%), with the most common being Crime Victim Compensation assistance (40.0%). Housing or rent support was also common (22.4%).

CONCLUSION: Financial and housing assistance are the most frequently needed resources among urban firearm injury survivors. The SDOH assessments by social workers, combined with strong partnerships to provide resources, can help trauma centers promote comprehensive recovery after firearm injury.

Author List

Biesboer EA, Johnson IR, Brandolino A, Subramanian M, Herbst L, Schroeder ME, Tomas CW, Srivastava P, Morris RS, deRoon-Cassini T, Trevino CM

Authors

Amber Brandolino in the CTSI department at Medical College of Wisconsin - CTSI
Rachel S. Morris MD Adjunct Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Mary Elizabeth Schroeder MD Chief Medical Officer, Associate Professor in the Medical College Physicians Operations department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Pranjal Srivastava MS Biostatistician I in the Comprehensive Injury Center department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Carissa W. Tomas PhD Assistant Professor in the Institute for Health and Humanity department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Colleen Trevino PhD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Terri A. deRoon Cassini PhD Center Director, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adult
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Injury Severity Score
Male
Middle Aged
Outpatients
Retrospective Studies
Social Determinants of Health
Survivors
Trauma Centers
Wounds, Gunshot