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).


METHODS
A retrospective correlational investigation.


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Marquez de la Plata
Carlos
C
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. carlos.marquezdelaplata@utsouthwestern.edu
Hewlitt
Margaret
M
de Oliveira
Ana
A
Hudak
Anne
A
Harper
Caryn
C
Shafi
Shahid
S
Diaz-Arrastia
Ramon
R
D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003144:Communication Barriers; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome