A Practitioner Survey of Department of Veterans Affairs Psychologists who Provide Neuropsychological Assessments

Abstract

Objective: The provision of neuropsychological assessments is an important part of the assessment and treatment of our veterans, yet little is known regarding who provides these assessments within Veterans Health Administration (VHA) settings, and of what they consist. The current survey provides information regarding the professional characteristics and assessment practices of VHA psychologists who provide neuropsychological assessments within VHA settings. Methods: Survey invitations were emailed to 4740 psychologists who worked for the VHA, resulting in surveys from 123 VHA psychologists who self-identified as providing and/or supervising neuropsychological assessments within VHA settings. Results: One hundred and twenty-three VHA doctoral level psychologists provided information regarding professional characteristics, such as demographic, training, and exerience, as well as assessment practices, such as number and types of assessment instruments used. Conclusions: This professional practice survey is the first survey of VHA psytchologists who provide neuropsychological assessments within VHA settings. As such, it provides baseline information which will aid in assesment and treatment provision, policy developement, and allow future surveys to assess changes in neuropsychological assessment practices over time.