A survey of neuropsychological assessment feedback practices among neuropsychologists

Feedback on neuropsychological assessment is a critical part of clinical practice, but there are few empirical papers on neuropsychological feedback practices. We sought to fill this gap in the literature by surveying practicing neuropsychologists in the United States. Questions addressed how they provide verbal and written feedback to patients and referral sources. Survey questions also addressed billing practices and training in the provision of feedback. A survey was developed using Qualtrics XM to survey currently licensed, independently practicing clinical neuropsychologists in the United States about their feedback practices. The survey was completed by 184 individuals. Nearly all respondents reported that they provide verbal feedback to patients, most often in-person, within three weeks following testing. Typically, verbal feedback sessions with patients last 45 min. Verbal feedback was provided to referrals by about half of our sample, typically via a brief phone call. Most participants also reported providing written feedback to both the patient and referring provider, most commonly via the written report within three weeks after testing. Regarding billing, most respondents use neuropsychological testing evaluation codes. The COVID-19 pandemic appeared to have had a limited impact on the perceived effectiveness and quality of verbal feedback sessions. Finally, respondents reported that across major stages of professional development, training in the provision of feedback gradually increased but was considered inadequate by many participants. Results provide an empirical summary of the “state of current practice” for providing neuropsychological assessment feedback. Further experimental research is needed to develop an evidence-base for effective feedback practices.

神经心理评估（neuropsychological assessment）反馈是临床实践的关键环节，但目前针对神经心理反馈实践的实证研究论文尚不多见。本研究旨在通过对美国在职临床神经心理学家开展问卷调查，填补这一文献空白。问卷内容涵盖其向患者及转诊方提供口头与书面反馈的具体方式，同时也涉及反馈提供相关的计费实践与培训情况。本研究使用Qualtrics XM平台开发问卷，针对美国当前持有执业资质、独立执业的临床神经心理学家，就其反馈实践开展调研，最终共回收184份有效问卷。几乎所有受访者均表示会向患者提供口头反馈，其中最常见的方式是在测评完成后三周内当面进行，单次口头反馈时长通常为45分钟。约半数受访者会向转诊方提供口头反馈，通常通过简短的电话沟通完成。多数受访者还表示会向患者及转诊医师提供书面反馈，最常见的方式是在测评完成后三周内通过书面报告完成反馈。在计费方面，多数受访者使用神经心理测评评估编码。新冠疫情似乎对口头反馈环节的感知有效性与质量仅产生了有限影响。最后，受访者表示，在职业发展的各主要阶段中，反馈提供相关培训的占比逐步提升，但仍有许多受访者认为此类培训存在不足。本研究结果对神经心理评估反馈的“当前实践现状”进行了实证总结，未来仍需开展进一步实验研究，为高效反馈实践建立循证依据。