First Published in 2003. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Neuropsychologists are being increasingly called upon to demonstrate the value of their services. This edited book introduces clinical neuropsychologists to the concepts and challenges involved in conducting cost outcome research. It provides examples of how such research can be conducted within clinical neuropsychology and therefore is a "beginning" step in what must become an interdisciplinary effort. The text suggests that more than cost effectiveness studies should be considered when demonstrating the clinical utility of neuropsychological services. The concept of "objective" and "subjective" markers of value is emphasized, particularly as it relates to measuring the impact of a neuropsychological examination. Chapters review the economic burdens associated with different neurological conditions commonly seen by neuropsychologists. They also provide examples of how clinical neuropsychological services to different patient populations may reduce "costs" and increase "benefits" and suggest directions for beginning cost outcome research. Furthermore, the book summarizes the utility of various neuropsychological services that may be helpful to readers concerned with healthcare economies. The book is intended as a resource for clinical neuropsychologists who wish to explain to healthcare providers the value of their work. It is the first book of the National Academy of Neuropsychology book series entitled: Neuropsychology: Scientific Bases and Clinical Application.

Clinical neuropsychologists are increasingly involved in the evaluation of civil capacities and are in demand by other professionals, particularly attorneys and judges, to assist their decision-making about these sometimes complex issues. While there has been some neuropsychological research in this area, this has not been assembled into a single volume nor have practice recommendations been provided. This volume fills these gaps. The first part of this volume reviews and synthesizes the research literature on neuropsychological aspects of civil capacities. The specific capacities addressed include driving, financial and healthcare decision-making, testamentary (i.e., will-making) capacity, and personal care and independence. Each chapter addresses relevant background issues, conceptual/theoretical advances, and empirical findings. The chapters also include an illustrative case study that demonstrates how the authors (each expert in the various areas) evaluated and conceptualized the case. Each chapter is written from an evidence-based perspective and, where appropriate, uses research to inform practice recommendations. The second part of this volume provides recommendations to practitioners on how to conduct civil capacity evaluations that utilize neuropsychological assessment. There are chapters on an evaluative framework for the assessment, capacity test selection and psychometric issues, working with other data sources besides testing (e.g., collateral interviews), best practices in report-writing and testifying, as well as common ethical issues in such cases. Throughout, these chapters provide practical "how to" advice to improve neuropsychological practice and consulting in civil capacity cases. In addition to these chapters, there is a chapter written by legal consumers of psychological reports. This chapter offers a wealth of useful information and recommendations that, if followed, will further serve to advance psychological report-writing and consultation in civil capacity evaluations.

Neuropsychology as a field has been slow to embrace and exploit the potential offered by technology to either make the assessment process more efficient or to develop new capabilities that augment the assessment of cognition. The Role of Technology in Clinical Neuropsychology details current efforts to use technology to enhance cognitive assessment with an emphasis on developing expanded capabilities for clinical assessment. The first sections of the book provide an overview of current approaches to computerized assessment along with newer technologies to assess behavior. The next series of chapters explores the use of novel technologies and approaches in cognitive assessment as they relate to developments in telemedicine, mobile health, and remote monitoring including developing smart environments. While still largely office-based, health care is increasingly moving out of the office with an increased emphasis on connecting patients with providers, and providers with other providers, remotely. Chapters also address the use of technology to enhance cognitive rehabilitation by implementing conceptually-based games to teach cognitive strategies and virtual environments to measure outcomes. Next, the chapters explore the use of virtual reality and scenario-based assessment to capture critical aspects of performance not assessed by traditional means and the implementation of neurobiological metrics to enhance patient assessment. Chapters also address the use of imaging to better define cognitive skills and assessment methods along with the integration of cognitive assessment with imaging to define the functioning of brain networks. The final section of the book discusses the ethical and methodological considerations needed for adopting advanced technologies for neuropsychological assessment. Authored by numerous leading figures in the field of neuropsychology, this volume emphasizes the critical role that virtual environments, neuroimaging, and data analytics will play as clinical neuropsychology moves forward in the future.

This volume updates the reader about historical and current medical care for both common and rare pediatric medical conditions/disorders, and neuropsychological outcomes for children once unlikely to survive or overcome associated adverse effects of their condition.

The “Diversity in Clinical Neuropsychology” series is designed to highlight cultural and moderator variables involved in the study of brain-behavior relationships. Historically, the study of psychology and neuropsychology has focused on the male brain being the standard to which all or most variables are considered. The study of sex differences is perhaps the most provoking and far-reaching aspect of diversity because frequently women have unique assessment and treatment needs. For example, frontal lobe functioning tends to be more contextual for women than for men. These brain functions have behavioral counterparts that directly relate to how interventions may be tailor made to suit the female rather than male patient. The goal in neuropsychology is always to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, and a cohesive summary of the neuropsychology of the female brain would raise awareness and cultural competency of clinicians in neuropsychology. Authors will focus on sex differences in the neuropsychological, cognitive, and development literature; ethnic and socioeconomic variables affecting diagnosis and treatment of women; and social/emotional and behavioral manifestations of neuropsychological sex differences.

This ambitious and accessible guide reviews innovative technologies enhancing the field of neuropsychological testing. Starting with the premise that standard batteries—some nearly a century old—lag behind in our era of neuroimaging, genomic studies, psychophysiology, and informatics, it presents digital measures offering more efficient administration, more accurate data, and wider clinical applications. Ecological validity and evidence-based science are key themes in these advances, from virtual environments and assessment of social cognition to the shift toward situational reliability and away from lab-created constructs. These chapters also demonstrate how high-tech assessment tools can complement or supplement traditional pencil-and-paper measures without replacing them outright. This book covers in depth: · The evolution of neuropsychological testing over the past century. · Current applications of computer-based neuropsychological assessments. · The strengths and limitations of simulation technology. · The use of teleneuropsychology in reaching remote clients. · The potential of gaming technologies in neurocognitive rehabilitation. · How technology can transform test data into information useful across specialties. Clinical Neuropsychology and Technology brings neuropsychologists, clinical psychologists, and rehabilitation specialists into the vanguard of assessment measures and processes that will translate into more accurate testing, collaborations between disciplines, and valid and useful outcomes.