Psychological test usage: Implications in professional psychology.

Abstract

Do psychological assessments require more time than third parties and managed care are willing to reimburse? A survey of clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists was conducted to evaluate the current uses of psychological assessment instruments. Respondents reported their use of tests for 8 different areas of assessment, the average time spent in performing various assessment services and other assessment practices. Results suggested that a majority of neuropsychologists devote a substantial portion of their time to assessment, but only 12% of clinical psychologists reported spending more than 10 hr in assessment-related practice each week. The authors describe the typical time required to administer, score, and interpret various tests and assessments; factors that affect the time required to conduct assessments; and provide a current ranking of the most frequently used assessments in clinical and neuropsychology. How long does it take to conduct comprehensive psychological assessments? Does the time required for assessment activities depend on the nature of the assessment and the presenting problems? What assessments are most commonly used and do they differ by the nature and function of the assessment? What are the implications of these issues for psychologists conducting assessment services in today's managed care environment? What strategies may psychologists invoke to overcome the multiple obstacles imposed by managed care and demonstrate the efficacy and extensiveness of comprehensive assessment practices? We examined these and other related questions through a survey of a sample of clinical and neuropsychologists who conducted assessment