Effort Testing in Contemporary UK Neuropsychological Practice

• Published in: Clinical neuropsychologist Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 1050 - 1066
• Main Authors: McCarter, Renée J., Walton, Nigel H., Brooks, D. Neil, Powell, Graham E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hove Psychology Press 01-08-2009
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Biological and medical sciences; Data Collection; Effort; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Male; Neuropsychological Tests - statistics & numerical data; Neuropsychology; Neuropsychology - methods; Practice Patterns, Physicians' - statistics & numerical data; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Psychometrics. Statistics. Methodology; Reproducibility of Results; Survey; Surveys and Questionnaires; Symptom validity; Theories; United Kingdom; United Kingdom; Europe; Human; Symptomatology; Survey; Professional practice; Effort; Neuropsychological test; Psychometrics; Neuropsychology; Symptom validity
• ISSN: 1385-4046; 1744-4144
• DOI: 10.1080/13854040802665790

A survey of members of the British Psychological Society Division of Neuropsychology (N = 588) was conducted via email to ascertain current practice with respect to the use of symptom validity testing (SVT) in clinical and legal neuropsychological assessments. Replies were received from 130 practicing neuropsychologists. Results showed that 59% frequently use SVT in legal assessments, but a minority (15%) employ them in clinical assessments. Practice in the UK is only moderately different to that in North America with respect to frequency of use of SVT, although methods employed showed greater diversity. Favored tests, respondents' justifications for use of SVT and rationales for not using SVT are reported.