While some large health systems have successfully implemented secure firearm storage programs such as S.A.F.E. Firearm into routine practice, there is limited research on the implementation of secure firearm storage programs in community settings, such as community health centers, which serve large populations of Americans. These settings often face challenges such as financial pressures and high staff turnover, which were made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, before deploying a secure firearm storage program in this new setting, adaptation is needed. As part of Aim 1 of the grant funding this project, the research team is working with local community-based organizations, firearm safety experts, community health center personnel, and parents, guardians, and caregivers (hereafter, "parents") to understand the changes that need to be made to the S.A.F.E. Firearm program and the package of implementation strategies that have been successfully used in previous studies to help pediatric clinics implement this new practice (training, facilitation). The research team will incorporate needed changes before the present trial will begin.
In the present study, the research team will conduct a hybrid type III effectiveness-implementation trial to test the effect of the adapted S.A.F.E. Firearm program and associated strategies. The trial will be conducted across pediatric well-visits in community health centers across the state of Illinois using a stepped wedge design. Clinics will be randomized into clusters of clinics and the implementation approach (staff training, facilitation) will be activated upon the start of each step.
Aims for the study include:
Aim 2. We will conduct a pragmatic hybrid type III stepped wedge effectiveness-implementation randomized controlled trial with community health centers across Illinois to test the effectiveness of our adapted implementation approach on parent-reported receipt of S.A.F.E. Firearm (i.e., reach; co-primary implementation outcome) and distribution of cable locks by the clinics (co-primary implementation outcome). We will also assess secondary implementation outcomes (stage of implementation, cost, acceptability) and effectiveness outcomes (parent firearm storage behavior).
Aim 3. We will use mixed methods to identify mechanisms.
