Pediatric neuropsychological evaluation via telehealth: Novel models of care

Abstract

Objective: As the coronavirus pandemic extends across the globe, the impacts have been felt across domains of industry. Neuropsychology services are no exception. Methods for neuropsychological assessments, which typically require an in-person visit, must be modified in order to adhere to social distancing and isolation standards enacted in an effort to slow the pandemic. How can providers continue to meet the needs of patients referred for neuropsychology evaluations, while respecting federal and state guidelines for safety and ethical mandates? We offer a novel, tiered model of care, successfully implemented in response to mandated social distancing, in a large, pediatric neuropsychology program.

Method: We describe the considerations and challenges to be addressed in transitioning a large neuropsychology department to a new model of care, including triaging referrals, developing –or rediscovering — types of services to meet the needs of a virtual patient population, and helping patients, parents, and providers to adjust to these new models.

Conclusions: Lessons learned as a function of rapid changes in care models have implications for the field of neuropsychology as a whole as well as for future flexibility in meeting the needs of pediatric patients and their families.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• telehealth
• evaluation
• assessment
• child neuropsychology

Acknowledgements

We thank the department telehealth transition team leaders, Sharon Avent, B.A., Carolyn Caldwell, Ph.D., Lisa Carey, M.A.T., Shelley McDermott, Ph.D., Sarah Ortiz, M.S., Danielle Ploetz, Ph.D., Jennifer Robbins, M.A., Beth Slomine, Ph.D., for their support in the implementation of the telehealth model.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.