Rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injury: an overview of systems in the United States and Canada

Abstract

As North America is largely industrialized with a variety of available private transportation options, trauma is a common occurrence, resulting in significant burdens of disability and costs to the health care system. To meet increasing trauma care needs, there is a robust organization of trauma and rehabilitation systems, particularly within the United States and Canada. The American and Canadian health care systems share multiple similarities, including well-equipped Level I trauma centers, specialized inpatient rehabilitation units for polytrauma patients, and thorough evaluations for recovery and post-discharge placement. However, they also have several key differences. In Canada, the criteria for admission to inpatient rehabilitation vary by location, and inpatient rehabilitation is universally accessible, whereas outpatient rehabilitation services are generally not covered by insurance. In the United States, these admission criteria for post-acute inpatient rehabilitation are standardized, and both inpatient and outpatient services are covered by private and government-funded insurance with varying durations. Overall, both health care systems face challenges in post-acute rehabilitation, including benefit limitations and limited provider access in rural areas, and must continue to evolve to meet the rehabilitation needs of injured patients as they reintegrate into their communities.