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function of the central nervous system
.They then combined the two statements in proposing the following answer
to Question 1:
A clinical neuropsychologist employs a psychometric approach to psychological
and neuropsychological assessment and intervention as related to function
of the central nervous system. In order to present oneself to public as
a clinical neuropsychologist, one needs to have specialty
training in clinical neuropsychology.
SUMMARY OF BREAKOUT GROUP TWO
Question I
Byron P. Rourke and Brian 9. Hoyt
Members: Byron P. Rourke (Chair), Brian D. Hoyt (Recorder), Russell
L. Adams, William B. Barr, Christina S. Wilson, Andrew J. Saykin, and John
L. Woodard
Following a brief introduction of all group members, Question
I was introduced and the group begin working from general guidelines as
to the roles of clinical neuropsychologists. The three general roles of
clinical neuropsychologists were identified as practice, teaching, and
research. The possibility of consultation as another potential role of
clinical neuropsychologists was raised. Discussion then moved to a consideration
of what types of activities should be included in the roles of clinical
neuropsychologists. One member suggested formulating a definition of a
clinical neuropsychologist as a potential starting point. Creating such
a definition would require addressing the activities and roles of a clinical
neuropsychologist. The group would then be able to create a hierarchy of
these potential roles, determining which functions are more important and
which are less important. Concerns were raised regarding the need for specificity
in the definition of a clinical neuropsychologist, so that boundaries between
clinical neuropsychology and other related disciplines, such as medicine,
health psychology, and other areas of practice, are not violated.
Discussion turned to consultation as a role of clinical neuropsychologists.
The nature of consultations and the type of training necessary for consultation
were briefly addressed. The group adopted the following working definition
of consultation: "the translation of neuropsychological data and impressions
for referral parties." Several group members raised the issue that the
consultation process will vary widely depending on the population with
whom one works. Specifically, differences were noted in referral parties
and targets for feedback among child, adult, and elderly populations. The
group then discussed the parties with which clinical neuropsychologists
frequently consult: agencies, individuals, other professionals, the legal
system, families, and government agencies.
Applied research was considered as a separate role for clinical neuropsychologists.
Group members felt that clinical neuropsychologists possess special skills
that allow them to do research pertaining to specialized techniques (i.e.,
functional MRI). In order to define such applied research as a role of
clinical neuropsychologists, group members concluded that a circumscribed
set of skills surrounding each research area would have to be specified.
The issue of boundaries was again raised, especially the need to not infringe
on research taking place in related specialty disciplines. The possibility
of including research as an area of consultation was also raised.
Discussion returned to boundary issues, specifically, those with other
professionals performing brief cognitive screening. It was felt that this
has the potential to be a sensitive area since many other professionals
perform such screening. There was some debate as to whether or not such
screening are an appropriate part of general clinical practice or if such
screening should be performed only by persons qualified to perform an entire
cognitive assessment.
Teaching as a role of clinical neuropsychologists was examined next.
Both teaching itself and training, people to teach were considered as potential
roles. Supervision as well as training of professionals to supervise were
also considered to be within the realm of teaching. The observation was
made that teaching is not traditionally included in graduate education,
but that such training may occur anywhere within the training spectrum
(i.e., doctoral programs, internships, residencies).
The group then discussed the question of how specifically the roles
of clinical neuropsychologists should be defined. Should such roles be
defined generally, or more specifically as well? It was suggested that
the group determine how central such activities are to the profession of
clinical neuropsychology before defining them too specifically. The question
of the quantity and intensity of training needed in each role was also
raised. It was agreed that the roles of assessment, intervention, and consultation
are central to clinical neuropsychology, and that training basically comes
down to these roles.
The group considered the activities listed in the Division 40 Petition
(Meier et al., 1995) to the Commission for the Recognition of Specialties
and Proficiencies in Professional Psychology (CRSPPP) as potential roles
of clinical neuropsychologists. The group emphasized the need for training,
in assessment, formulation of interventions, consultation, supervision,
and other teaching activities. Several group members also expressed the
need to emphasize the role of brain-behavior relationships in such activities.
There was some debate whether or not to include "consumer protection" as
a role of clinical neuropsychologists, specifically as it relates to ensuring
professional competency. The group agreed that the activities outlined
in the Division 40 Petition (Meier et al., 1995) to CRSPPP represent the
major roles of clinical neuropsychologists. The group briefly examined
the definitions of these activities presented therein.
The second breakout session began with a discussion of the topic of
research. It was agreed that persons presenting themselves as clinical
neuropsychologists should be qualified to conduct neuropsychological research.
However, group members did not want their statements to restrict the academic
freedom of persons from other specialty disciplines who wish to conduct
research in overlapping topic areas. The following definition for research
as a role of a clinical neuropsychologist was considered:
The specialist in clinical neuropsychology is a scientist-practitioner.
Such a person is expected to be able to plan, conduct, and evaluate research,
including that involving program and outcome evaluation.
The group next proposed the following definition of a clinical neuropsychologist:
A specialist in clinical neuropsychology is a professional psychologist
who applies principles of assessment and intervention based on the scientific
study of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning
of the central nervous system across the lifespan.
Group members also wished to include proposed wording by some of the
other groups that would make the definition of a clinical neuropsychologist
applicable to all individuals identifying themselves as clinical neuropsychologists.
The group decided to include the statement:
Identification of oneself as a clinical neuropsychologist or as a provider
of clinical neuropsychological services falls under this specialty definition.
function of the central nervous system
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