InterOrganizational practice committee recommendations/guidance for teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: The Inter Organizational Practice Committee (IOPC) convened a workgroup to provide rapid guidance about teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A collaborative panel of experts from major professional organizations developed provisional guidance for neuropsychological practice during the pandemic. The stakeholders included the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology/American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology, the National Academy of Neuropsychology, Division 40 of the American Psychological Association, the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology, and the American Psychological Association Services, Inc. The group reviewed literature, collated federal, regional and state regulations and information from insurers, and surveyed practitioners to identify best practices. Results: Literature indicates that TeleNP may offer reliable and valid assessments, but clinicians need to consider limitations, develop new informed consent procedures, report modifications of standard procedures, and state limitations to diagnostic conclusions and recommendations. Specific limitations affect TeleNP assessments of older adults, younger children, individuals with limited access to technology, and individuals with other individual, cultural, and/or linguistic differences. TeleNP may be ARTICLE HISTORY

Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Manifestations of COVID-19 and Effects on Elderly Individuals With Dementia

“…The transformation of medical care, though, posed a challenge for many patients, especially elderly individuals with cognitive, visual and/or hearing impairment, those living alone, and those from a low socio-economic status or living in rural areas with limited access to technology. From the clinical point of view, safety and legal concerns about privacy and data protection had to be addressed, and some tests from the neuropsychological batteries had to be adapted to be performed in a virtual way (Bilder et al, 2020). After this experience, it is likely that telemedicine AD, Alzheimer's disease; EuroQol-5D, European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions; MCI, Mild cognitive impairment; NPI, Neuropsychiatric inventory; SCD, Subjective cognitive decline; *, Significant differences between those living alone (n = 24) vs. living with others.…”

InterOrganizational practice committee guidance/recommendation for models of care during the novel coronavirus pandemic

“…An advocacy team was established by the Inter Organizational Practice Committee (IOPC) 1 to develop guidance and resources for neuropsychologists navigating practice during the pandemic. Readers are referred to the IOPC Recommendations/Guidance for Teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (Bilder et. al, 2020), which was developed to provide guidance for TeleNP in the context of the disruption in the usual face-to-face interpersonal contact that characterizes neuropsychological assessments.…”

“…In-home TeleNP assessments (patient at home) The NP evaluation is conducted with the patient in their own home or other remote location via audio or video conferencing technology (Bilder et al, 2020). Most of the TeleNP research has not been conducted in this context, where examiners do not have control over the availability or quality of the telehealth platforms, cannot guarantee the availability of a distraction free testing environment, cannot help troubleshoot technical problems, and have limited ability to monitor patients.…”

“How to” operate a pediatric neuropsychology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic: Real tips from one practice’s experience

“…Our clinic strives to provide tele-NP services in accordance with currently available pediatric research (see Hodge et al, 2019;Waite et al, 2010), consideration of adult neuropsychological tele-NP literature (see Marra et al, 2020), the ethics and considerations set forth from the American Psychological Association (APA, 2013), and practice suggestions (see Bilder et al, 2020;IOPC, 2020). In the section below we review multiple tips to support optimal utilization of tele-NP.…”

“…We use a secure Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi connection. Patients should use a private Wi-Fi or hard-wired Internet connection, not a public Wi-Fi connection, for testing (see Bilder et al, 2020). (3) Technology and Connectivity.…”