Psychological test usage: Implications in professional psychology

Do psychological assessments require more time than third parties and manag ed care are willing to reimburse? A survey of clinical psychologists and ne uropsychologists was conducted to evaluate the current uses of psychologica l assessment instruments. Respondents reported their use of tests for 8 dif ferent areas of assessment, the average time spent in performing various as sessment services and other assessment practices. Results suggested that a majority of neuropsychologists devote a substantial portion of their time t o assessment, but only 12% of clinical psychologists reported spending more than 10 hr in assessment-related practice each week. The authors describe the typical time required to administer, score, and interpret various tests and assessments; factors that affect the time required to conduct assessme nts; and provide a current ranking of the most frequently used assessments in clinical and neuropsychology.