Psychological Evaluations:
Basic Evaluations for
treatment and recommendations involving a structured clinical interview with
appropriate testing and assessment as indicated such as Intelligence testing
(e.g. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test-III or WAIS-III; personality testing,
such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Test-2 or MMPI-2). The Clinical
Interview usually takes about 50 minutes and additional testing can add anywhere
from 1-3 hours.
Neuropsychological Screening Evaluations:
These are
brief neuropsychological evaluations to determine the possibility of the
presence of cognitive dysfunction related to central nervous system or brain
impairment. If findings warrant, an individual may then be referred to a
Neuropsychologist for a Full Neuropsychological Evaluation comprised of a
battery of tests. Neuropsychological Screening Evaluations are also used to
delineate between dementia in older adults or pseudodementia which can mimic
some cognitive problems but which is a form of depression found in the elderly.
There are several different types of tests that are used in conjunction with a
clinical interview and usually take about 1-2 hours.
Pre-surgical Evaluations:
These are done at the
referral of a physician and occasionally at the request of an insurance company,
including Workman’s Compensation (Workman's Comp.). These are requested for such
surgeries as back fusions, especially when there is a history of previous back
surgeries, gastric-bypass surgeries, and other surgical procedures such as
spinal cord stimulation implantation and morphine pump implantations. These
evaluations include a Clinical Interview with additional testing such as a
Millon Behavioral Medicine Diagnostic (MBMD). These evaluations help determine
if there are additional problems such as poor health behaviors, problems with
medical compliance, the presence of psychological problems such as depression or
anxiety, or other such concerns that could adversely impact on surgical outcome
and recovery. The total time required is usually from 1 ½ to 3 hours.
Psychological Independent Medical Evaluations (IMEs):
These are usually requested by attorneys and sometimes by insurance companies or
Workman's Comp. The medical/psychological records are first reviewed prior to the actual
evaluation. Questionable issues are investigated as deemed indicated either
through additional records and/or through interviewing the patient being
referred. There is also a Clinical Interview and depending on the referral
questions being asked, additional testing is done. This latter can include
intelligence testing, personality testing, behavioral medicine testing, or
neuropsychological screening. Total time required is usually 5 hours.