The TCN professional practice survey: Part I: General practices of neuropsychologists in primary employment and private practice settings

Abstract

The paper presents data obtained from 872 members of the Division of Clinical Neuropsychology (Division 40) of the American Psychological Association. Issues covered a range of professional and clinical practices in primary employment and private practice positions. A hospital-medical center was the primary employment setting of over one-third of the respondents. Another one-third was employed exclusively in a private practice office. Twenty-nine percent reported being in private practice in addition to primary institutional employment. On the whole, Division 40 members spent approximately one-half of their clinical time doing neuropsychological assessment, saw an average of nine patients per month for assessment, the majority of whom were adults. The average hourly charge for assessment was $100, average fixed rate for a neuropsychological evaluation was between $700 and $750, with an average time of approximately 6.5 hours per assessment. In personal injury referrals the plaintiff was represented approximately 60% of the time, and attorneys were charged an average of $150 per hour. Those respondents providing neuropsychological treatment charged an average of $92 per hour, and psychotherapy and cognitive rehabilitation were reported as the most frequently practiced treatments. Technicians were utilized far more in primary employment settings and were paid an average hourly rate of between $13 and $21, with an average annual salary of $23,000. A variety of other issues related to clinical practices, patient characteristics, and fee setting were reported and discussed.