Ontario TBI Care Disparity Study

A study published in the Canadian Medical Association, led by Dr. Natalia Angeloni of the University of Toronto, found that female patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Canada — Ontario are 26% less likely to be admitted to a specialized trauma center than males. This disparity persists even after accounting for factors like age, injury severity, and socioeconomic status. The research, based on International Council for the Exploration of the Sea data from 55,606 patients between 2009 and 2020, suggests potential unconscious sex-related bias in triage decisions and an underrepresentation of female TBI patients in research. Experts emphasize the need for further investigation into these sex-based discrepancies and their impact on patient outcomes, highlighting concerns about healthcare inequity.