Assessment practices of clinical neuropsychologists in the United States and Canada: A survey of INS, NAN, and APA Division 40 members

Abstract

The present study surveyed assessment practices and test usage patterns among clinical neuropsychologists. Respondents were 747 North American, doctorate-level psychologists (40% usable response rate) affiliated with Division 40 of the American Psychological Association (APA), the National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN), or the International Neuropsychological Society (INS). Respondents first provided basic demographic and practice-related information and reported their most frequently utilized instruments. Overall, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales and Wechsler Memory Scales were most frequently used, followed by the Trail Making Test, California Verbal Learning Test, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children. Respondents also reviewed a vignette about a traumatic brain injury patient, and then reported the instruments they would use to assess this patient's specific cognitive symptomatology, general cognitive ability, and capacity to return to work. Particular attention was paid to the areas of memory, attention, and executive functioning. The current study represents the largest and most comprehensive test usage survey conducted to date within the field of clinical neuropsychology. Survey results update and greatly expand knowledge about neuropsychologists' assessment practices. Following a review of findings, results are compared to those obtained in prior surveys and implications for the field of neuropsychology are discussed.