Study uncovers racial biases in research guiding rehab for traumatic brain injury

Researchers in Toronto have found that racial biases in research on traumatic brain injury rehabilitation could be harming Black patients.

Using critical race theory — a framework that explores how racism is embedded in systems and policies — researchers at University Health Network and the University of Toronto analyzed over 40 studies on race, the TBI clinical care journey and Black populations to identify practices that could lead to unequal care for Black patients.

“Critical race theory allows us to uncover how racism influences every aspect of TBI research, from methods and analyses to interpretations and conclusions,” said Samira Omar, first author on the study and a recent PhD graduate of the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at U of T’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

“This approach helps us rethink and improve rehabilitation practices to ensure they better serve Black individuals with TBI.”

Some research looks at how TBI recovery varies by race, but it often overlooks how racism within the health care system impacts rehabilitation care.

Analyzing the methods and findings of TBI rehabilitation research, team found that racial biases are common. Many of the studies ignore the impact of race, assume everyone has equal access to resources, and reinforce perspectives that overlook the unique challenges that Black patients experience.

The researchers call for a shift in how rehabilitation research and practice addresses race and racism. By developing anti-racist research, improving training for health care workers, and engaging more with Black communities, rehabilitation programs can be more inclusive and effective, they conclude.

“This shift is about ensuring that rehabilitation is equitable for everyone, especially those who have been historically underserved,” said Angela Colantonio, a senior scientist at UHN’s KITE Research Institute, and a professor in Temerty Medicine’s department of occupational science and occupational therapy.

Traumatic brain injury is one of the most severe forms of injury, affecting around 70 million people globally every year. It can cause long-lasting or permanent damage to the brain, impacting memory, movement, and behaviour.

Other recent research has revealed that Black individuals with TBI often face greater challenges in recovery, including limited access to quality care and higher rates of complications.

This work was published in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation, and supported by UHN Foundation, the Ontario Ministry of Health, the University of Toronto, Canada Research Chairs Program, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, the Heart & Stroke Foundation, Brain Canada, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research Institute of Circulatory and Respiratory Health. 

This story first was first published by University Health Network.