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 patients admitted for inpatient rehabilitation following traumatic brain injury 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 traumatic brain injury. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the two groups in the areas of alcohol and drug involvement with the initial injury (p < 0.0001), geographical location of the injury (p < 0.0001), initial treatment received (p = 0.0102), discharge planning (p < 0.0001), and post-discharge follow-up (p = 0.0052). CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that native North Americans are more likely 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 less likely to be offered post-discharge resources. Further prospective study to explore these areas is required.