Ethnic Differences in Rehabilitation Placement and Outcome After TBI

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether race/ethnicity and proficiency with the English language influence access to rehabilitation services, and ultimately outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). DESIGN: A retrospective correlational investigation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Postrehabilitation outpatients with blunt TBI. A total of 476 patients were examined 6 months postinjury, of which 109 (23%) were Hispanics, and of those 42 were predominantly Spanish speaking. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Access to rehabilitation services, Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended. RESULTS: Insurance, age, and injury severity had the greatest influence on receipt of rehabilitation services; however, higher rates of severe disability were found among Hispanics and Spanish speakers than non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic English speakers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Insurance status has a larger influence on receipt of rehabilitation services than ethnicity or proficiency with the English language, but language proficiency is a significant predictor of severe disability.