Physical Health Challenges, Healthcare Needs, and Barriers to Care among Firearm Injury Survivors: A Mixed Methods Analysis

Firearm injury survivors often face significant physical, mental, and logistical challenges following their injury, yet research on their healthcare needs remains limited. This mixed methods study examines health challenges, healthcare needs, and barriers to care among 107 firearm injury survivors in a small Northeastern city. The project emerged from a collaboration between university researchers and community-based violence prevention specialists. Participants completed a cross-sectional survey assessing physical health, functional disability, healthcare access, and demographic factors. A subsample of 15 survivors also participated in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative results show that a majority of survivors experience pain, require regular medical treatment, and report functional impairments that interfere with daily life. Respondents report high levels of unmet healthcare needs, including access to affordable care, specialists, and primary providers. Barriers to care include cost, lack of insurance, unreliable transportation, and difficulty navigating the healthcare system. Qualitative interviews illustrated the toll of post-injury pain, trauma, and anxiety, while also highlighting resilience, self-directed care, and changes in care-seeking behavior. Survivors voiced concerns about medication access, potential addiction, and logistical burdens. The findings underscore the complexity of survivor needs and point to opportunities for hospital-based violence intervention programs and trauma recovery centers to play a larger role in post-injury care coordination. This study highlights the value of participatory, community-engaged research in illuminating the lived experiences of firearm injury survivors and advancing care models that address both structural and personal barriers to recovery.