A comparison of traumatic brain injury in the Saskatchewan native North American and non-native North American populations

Objective: To compare native North American and non-native North American p atients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following traumatic brain inj ury in order to identify pertinent differences between the two groups with regards to the initial injury, medical management and allocated resources. Design: A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients admitted to the unit between July 1994 and March 1997 with the diagnosis of traumat ic brain injury. Results: Significant differences were found between the two groups in the a reas of alcohol and drug involvement with the initial injury (p < 0.0001), geographical location of the injury (p < 0.0001), initial treatment receive d (p = 0.0102), discharge planning (p < 0.0001), and post-discharge followu p (p = 0.0052). Conclusions: The results indicate that native North Americans are more like ly to suffer a head injury than non-native North Americans, that alcohol is more likely to be involved, and that native North American patients are le ss likely to be offered post-discharge resources. Further prospective study to explore these areas is required.