title: Comparison of FIM™ communication ratings for English versus non-English speakers in the traumatic brain injury model systems (TBIMS) national database.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the effect of primary language on admission and discharge FIM™ communication ratings in a sample of individuals with moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Secondary data analysis of rehabilitation admission and discharge FIM™ communication ratings of 2795 individuals hospitalized at a Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) centre between 2007-2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Individuals who spoke no English were rated worse on functional communication outcomes at inpatient rehabilitation discharge relative to individuals whose primary language was English.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings may reflect systematic bias in FIM™ communication ratings of non-English-speaking individuals with TBI and/or TBI-induced communication difficulties in non-English-speaking individuals. Clinical and research implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: a Kessler Foundation, West Orange , NJ , USA .|b Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School , NJ , USA .
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lequerica
authors.affiliation: a Kessler Foundation, West Orange , NJ , USA .|b Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School , NJ , USA .
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Krch
authors.affiliation: a Kessler Foundation, West Orange , NJ , USA .|b Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School , NJ , USA .
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lengenfelder
authors.affiliation: a Kessler Foundation, West Orange , NJ , USA .|b Rutgers, New Jersey Medical School , NJ , USA .
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Chiaravalloti
authors.affiliation: c University of Deusto, IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation For Science , Bilbao , Spain .
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Arango-Lasprilla
authors.affiliation: d Indiana University School of Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana , Indianapolis , IN , USA .
authors.forename: Flora M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Hammond
authors.affiliation: e Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Northeastern University , Boston , MA , USA .
authors.forename: Therese M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: O'Neil-Pirozzi
authors.affiliation: f Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA , and.
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Perrin
authors.affiliation: g Baylor College of Medicine/Harris Health System & TIRR Memorial Hermann , Houston , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Angelle M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sander
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003142:Communication; D003144:Communication Barriers; D016208:Databases, Factual / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D010351:Patient Discharge; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012046:Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Traumatic brain injury; language; rehabilitation