Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Improving Accuracy of Test Interpretation for Clinicians and Researchers

Wednesday, November 14, 2018
12:00pm - 1:30pm Eastern time
1.5 CE Credits


Presented by:
Brian L. Brooks, Ph.D.
Director of Neuropsychology
Alberta Children's Hospital

Neuropsychologists administer and interpret a large number of tests during an assessment. It can be under-appreciated, however, that interpreting multiple test scores is different than interpreting a single test score. Multiple scores have scatter, intra-individual variability, and higher prevalence rates of ‘abnormal’ findings than a single score, so they must be interpreted simultaneously (i.e., multivariate base rates; MVBRs). This webinar will review the psychometric principles associated with MVBRs of low scores: (1) low scores are common across all test batteries; (2) the number of low scores depends on the cutscore used; (3) the number of low scores depends on the number of tests administered; (4) the number of low scores varies by examinees’ demographics; and (5) the number of low scores varies by examinees’ intelligence. Examples using pediatric, adult, and older adult data will demonstrate these principles. Newer studies considering the MVBRs of reliable change scores will also be introduced.

After the webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the psychometric principles for interpreting multiple test scores.
  2. Explain that there is variability in test scores and that low scores are common in healthy people.
  3. Apply multivariate base rates in everyday clinical practice as an interpretive technique to reduce misdiagnoses of cognitive impairment.
  4. Critique the practice of over-interpreting an isolated low score.

Target Audience: Neuropsychologists and psychologists at all career levels who assess children, young adults, and older adults

Instructional Level: Intermediate

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Registration closes 30 minutes prior to the live presentation.

Brian L. Brooks, Ph.D. is a pediatric neuropsychologist and director of neuropsychology services at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is also an adjunct faculty member with the Departments of Pediatrics, Clinical Neurosciences, and Psychology at the University of Calgary, a full member with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, an associate member of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and the research lead for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Complex Concussion Clinic. His primary research focus is on neuropsychological outcomes from concussion, including early diagnosis, prognostication of outcome, potential treatment options, and long-term effects. He has over 100 peer-reviewed journal publications in the field of neuropsychology, including papers on psychometrics, test interpretation, performance validity testing, and outcomes from various medical, neurological, and psychiatric diseases. He is the co-author of three neuropsychological measures (ChAMP, MVP, and MEMRY) and is the co-editor of the first pediatric-focused forensic textbook, Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology. He has been recognized with several distinctions from the National Academy of Neuropsychology, including twice receiving the Nelson Butters award 2010 and 2014, receiving the early career award in 2014, and being elected as a fellow in 2015. He is currently supported by an Embedded Clinician Researcher award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).

Neuropsychology Practice above the 49th Parallel

Wednesday, December 5, 2018
1:00pm - 2:30pm Eastern time
1.5 CE Credits



   Darcy Cox, Psy.D.
Private Clinical and Forensic Neuropsychology Practice
British Columbia and California 

   
 
Laura Janzen, Ph.D.
The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON


This course offers an introductory review of issues specific to neuropsychological practice in Canada, covering the basics of the Canadian health care system, Canadian demographics, and challenges specific to neuropsychological practice within the Canadian context.  It is intended to provide practical information relevant to neuropsychology trainees and practitioners who may be interested in moving to Canada or collaborating with Canadian neuropsychologists.  The webinar will not address specific immigration or work visa issues.

After the webinar, participants will be able to:

  1. Recognize and discuss important differences in professional training, licensure, and practice patterns between the United States and Canada.
  2. Describe how cultural and linguistic factors specific to Canada impact the administration and interpretation of neuropsychological tests.
  3. Explain transferability of neuropsychology training and practice between the United States and Canada.  

Target Audience: Students and neuropsychologists practicing in the United States and other countries who would like to learn more about the practice environment for neuropsychologists practicing in Canada.

Instructional Level: Introductory

NAN members login and non-members create an account to:


Registration closes 30 minutes prior to the live presentation.

Dr. Darcy Cox is a board-certified neuropsychologist practicing in Vancouver, British Columbia and a dual citizen of the United States and Canada.  Dr. Cox earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology in 1999. She completed her clinical internship at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center and a National Multiple Sclerosis Society fellowship at the University of California, San Francisco. After her fellowship, Dr. Cox began a faculty position in the Department of Neurology at the University of California, San Francisco and in 2003, she opened a private practice in San Francisco specializing in clinical and forensic neuropsychological evaluations. In 2008, Dr. Cox immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia.  She has worked as a neuropsychologist at Vancouver General Hospital in the Geriatric Psychiatry Outreach Team program and as a Senior Psychology Advisor through WorkSafeBC while maintaining a small forensic practice.  She is now in full-time private practice as a forensic neuropsychologist and a neuropsychological consultant.  

Dr. Laura Janzen is a board-certified neuropsychologist (subspecialist in pediatric neuropsychology) practicing in Toronto, Ontario. Dr. Janzen earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Victoria in Clinical Psychology (Emphasis in Clinical Neuropsychology) in 2001.  Following pre-doctoral internship training at the London Health Sciences Center in London, Ontario, Dr. Janzen moved to the United States to complete a post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, NY.  She then returned to Canada and has worked in hospital and rehabilitation settings.  She is currently employed at the Hospital for Sick Children, engaged in clinical work, research and training.