Training models and status of clinical neuropsychologists in Europe: Results of a survey on 30 countries

Abstract

As legal regulation is mostly absent and training models differ, those actively practicing clinical neuropsychology in Europe have a very heterogeneous educational background and skill level. There is a need for a European standardization of specialist training in clinical neuropsychology. Guiding principles for establishing the common core requirements are presented.

Clinical Neuropsychology as a Specialist Profession in European Health Care: Developing a Benchmark for Training Standards and Competencies Using the Europsy Model?

“…In Europe, a great deal of variability currently exists among countries with respect to the models of training to become a Clinical Neuropsychologist. Based on the survey conducted by the EFPA Standing Committee on Clinical Neuropsychology ( Hokkanen et al, 2019 ) there are training models based on master’s programs, continuing education courses, doctoral programs, and post-doctoral specialization. Table 1 lists training models in European countries as described in the 2017 survey.…”

“…Despite current evidence of the growing necessity for qualified health services regarding cognitive, affective, and behavioral consequences of long-term neurological conditions and psychopathological conditions, the training of specialists in Clinical Neuropsychology throughout the world, and even in Europe, is remarkably uneven. Only a minority of European countries, also in high-income regions, provide systematic high-level specialist training in Clinical Neuropsychology, as required for diagnosis and treatment of disorders described in the international classifications of diseases, namely ICD-10 and DSM V ( Grote and Novitski, 2016 ; Hessen et al, 2018 ; Hokkanen et al, 2019 ). Both in France and in Spain, one of the top perceived barriers to the development of neuropsychology was reported to be the lack of clinical and academic training opportunities ( Olabarrieta-Landa et al, 2016 ; Lopes et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Legal regulations usually do not exist, and the definition of a Clinical Neuropsychologist varies from country to country ( Hokkanen et al, 2019 ). A survey conducted by the EFPA Standing Committee on Clinical Neuropsychology consisting of information provided by representatives of national psychological associations and/or neuropsychological societies in Europe suggested a total number of active practitioners within Clinical Neuropsychology in Europe being 13,367 ( Hokkanen et al, 2019 ). Relative to the population in Europe, it amounts to one practitioner for 53,494 individuals.…”

“…Relative to the population in Europe, it amounts to one practitioner for 53,494 individuals. There is a great deal of variation between countries, however, ranging from 1 per 10,455 inhabitants in Denmark to 1 per 1,995,250 in Turkey ( Hokkanen et al, 2019 ). The numbers presented do not indicate that all practitioners have equal education, training, competencies, and job descriptions.…”

“…As a result, the estimates on the numbers of practitioners differ. For instance, the estimated number of neuropsychologists in France (5,000) refers to the number of graduates with a Master’s degree in Neuropsychology reported by the French National Association of Neuropsychologists ( Hokkanen et al, 2019 ; Lopes et al, 2019 ). At the same time, the number of members of the Société de Neuropsychologie de Langue Française (French Speaking Neuropsychological Society) who are also members of the FESN, is 220.…”