Encounters with Anna Thompson: The consumer's experience of neuropsychological assessment

Abstract

This study addresses the question: What is the consumer's experience of neuropsychological assessment? Questionnaire responses from 129 consumers who attended neuropsychological assessments at one of five centres indicated that for the vast majority of consumers the experience is a positive or neutral one; for only a small minority is it negative. Various influences on the consumers' experience are identified. These include the following: their expectations and preparation for the assessment; the perceived relevance of the assessment, and its length; whether they were given feedback and, if so, whether this was useful; whether they brought a relative; and differences in practice between neuropsychologists and between centres. Based on these findings, the authors suggest some ways in which neuropsychologists may enhance the consumer's experience of neuropsychological assessment.