Clinical neuropsychology has now been absorbed into the medical model in various settings, from private practice to different departments in the hospital. The field has grown remarkably, providing the behavioral expression of different pathological brain conditions. Our field has been built upon an assembly of past neuropsychologist giants along with the rich integration from different disciplines of psychology.
Unfortunately, a new phenomenon has developed in clinical neuropsychology among up-and-coming residents/fellows – “Diagnose and Adios”, i.e., test, come up with a diagnosis and discharge the patient. This perspective in more ways than one limits our potential significant contributions to medicine and downright devalues who we are in the medical continuity caring for patients.
Clinical neuropsychology consists of intake/consultation, neuropsychological examination, the “blueprint” for the basis of treatment, and follow-up with the patient and family explaining the examination results and how they will manifest themselves in real-world functioning. Lastly, and most importantly, these three stages ultimately lead to treatment in the form of Medical Adjustment Counseling (MAC®), biofeedback, cognitive rehabilitation, family systems, support to outreach, and professional requests. In short, the patient needs to understand what their neuropsychological issues are, what they can do about them, and how to reintegrate back into their daily life equipped with a strategy that will enable them to succeed. Without this neuropsychological compass, they are doomed to fail.
The point is, if we merely test and conclude with a diagnosis, what happens to the patient? Our valuable services are dismissed, and the neuropsychologist merely becomes a technician.
Here at Neuropsychology Rehabilitation Services| LifeSpan, our comprehensive residency/fellowship program provides a broadband of clinical skills from the beginning (consultation) to diagnostic accuracy (testing) and finally, treatment. The patient is followed and treated for the entirety of their neuropsychological condition. Our fellowship program is aimed at enabling the fellow to provide the best range of skills that will professionally inoculate you from being absorbed into the herd of neuropsychological mediocrity.
Give us a call if there are any questions or interest.
Robert B. Sica, Ph.D., ABN
Board-Certified in Neuropsychology
Owner, Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Services|LifeSpan
Post-Doctoral Fellowship Supervisor
Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neuroscience Division
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
Department of Neurology
Clinical Assistant Professor, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine