Trends and Disparities in Inpatient Rehabilitation of Adolescents: The Effect of Demographics, Injury Characteristics, and Facility Type

This study looks at whether there are differences in how adolescents with spinal cord injuries and other conditions are treated in different types of rehabilitation centers (pediatric vs. adult). It also examines if factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status affect where these adolescents receive rehabilitation. The researchers found that adolescents from marginalized backgrounds (including racial/ethnic minorities and those with Medicaid) were more likely to be admitted to adult rehabilitation facilities compared to pediatric facilities. This suggests that disparities exist within the healthcare system. The study also found that the length of stay in rehabilitation was longer for patients at the pediatric facility, suggesting that the type of facility can affect the care received. These findings highlight the need to address potential biases and systemic issues in healthcare to ensure equitable access to rehabilitation services for all adolescents.

• 1
  Adolescents with SCI were more likely to undergo rehabilitation at the level 1 trauma versus pediatric facility compared to TBI patients.
• 2
  Admission to trauma versus pediatric IRF was associated with Black compared to White race, violence compared to other etiologies of injury, and Medicaid compared to private insurance.
• 3
  Admission to pediatric IRF was associated with longer length of stay than admission to adult IRF when adjusted for diagnosis, but Functional Independence Measures did not differ.