Neuropsychology Track
APPIC Program Match Number 150915
| Track Coordinator: | Jennifer Cass, Ph.D.. Email: Jennifer.Cass@NationwideChildrens.org Phone: (614) 722-4700 |
The Neuropsychology specialization is a newly formed track. One Neuropsychology intern slot is available.
Assessment
The Neuropsychology intern will spend approximately 60% of their time in assessment activities. The intern will complete one outpatient neuropsychological evaluation weekly. These assessments include a full neuropsychological test battery appropriate for the child’s age and presenting concerns. Interns will gain exposure to children with various medical, neurological, psychiatric, and developmental disorders. Referrals are received from a variety of hospital services, including the Sections of Neurology, Neurosurgery, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hematology / Oncology, and Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, as well as from many outpatient clinics (e.g., Myelomeningocele Clinic), community physicians, and parents. Interns also will have some opportunities for inpatient neuropsychological evaluations.
The intern will complete one to two pre-cochlear implant, preschool, and/or pre-epilepsy surgery evaluations monthly. Pre-cochlear implant psychological evaluations usually include an assessment of early development, nonverbal ability, child mood and behavior, and parent expectations for an implant. Most children referred are toddlers and preschoolers, although some older school-aged children are also seen. The neuropsychology intern will be involved in attending Cochlear Implant Team Meetings.
Preschool neuropsychological evaluation referrals typically are received from the Sections of Neurology, Neonatology, and Hematology/Oncology. The intern also will be involved in completing pre-epilepsy surgery neurodevelopmental and neuropsychological evaluations. The intern will attend Epilepsy Surgery Conference and will be involved in presenting evaluation findings and recommendations to the Epilepsy Surgery Team.
Intervention
The Neuropsychology intern will be required to carry a minimum of 4 to 6 outpatient treatment cases throughout the year. The intern will gain specific experience treating children with brain insult or injury and their families. The intern also will be expected to see a wider range of cases involving treatment of children with acute or chronic illnesses, adjustment difficulties, behavioral problems, phobias, and family problems.
Interns will provide consultation in Concussion, Epilepsy, and Stroke Clinics. Activities vary by clinic, but typically involve assessing the child’s need for resources and services (e.g., neuropsychological evaluation, behavioral health services, special education services, school advocacy, etc). Brief neuropsychological testing also may be completed in some clinics. The neuropsychology intern will be involved in providing inpatient consultation to the Neurology Section. Neurology consults are requested for children with a history of known or possible seizures who are admitted for long-term video-EEG monitoring. Psychology consultation also is requested for patients with suspected nonepileptic seizures or conversion disorder.
Requests for consultation may involve developing pain management strategies, a behavior plan, or feeding program, a diagnostic assessment, behavioral interventions to increase compliance with medical regimens, facilitating patient and family adjustment/adaptation to a medical diagnosis, or coordinating a family meeting to discuss discharge and aftercare plans.
Group Supervision
Neuropsychology track interns are expected to participate in consultation/liaison rounds, which are held weekly for one hour. Rounds provide a forum for the discussion and sharing of ideas regarding cases. Rounds emphasize several skills including critical thinking, rapid assessment and case conceptualization, succinct case presentation, and development of treatment plans consistent with conceptualization.
Research
Dr. Keith Yeates is involved in a number of large, multi-site research projects examining topics such as child and family sequelae of preschool brain injury, neurobehavioral late-effects in pediatric brain tumors, postconcussive symptoms in children with mild head injuries, and social outcomes of pediatric traumatic brain injury. The Neuropsychology intern may be able to collaborate on research projects during their training year.
Didactics
Didactic experiences in the Neuropsychology specialty track are both formal and informal. The intern will be expected to complete readings in clinical neuropsychology, especially as they pertain to pediatric populations. Readings will be chosen in consultation with clinical supervisors.
In addition to internship-wide formal didactic activities, the Neuropsychology intern will participate in weekly Neuropsychology seminar. Neuropsychology Seminar is designed to introduce Neuropsychology faculty and trainees to current research, clinical, professional development, and ethical topics in the specialty of Neuropsychology.
The Neuropsychology intern also will attend bi-monthly Neuroradiology Rounds. Rounds are led by a neuroradiologist and attended by Neurology physicians, nurse practitioners, and trainees, as well as Neuropsychology faculty and trainees. Clinical aspects and neuroradiology findings of a wide range of cases are discussed.
Many additional educational opportunities exist including Medical Grand Rounds, Neurology Clinical Conference and Professional Rounds, Tumor Board, Clinical Research Seminars, and the Multicultural Brown Bag Lunch Series.
Hours
Neuropsychology interns work five days per week, although rotating responsibility for coverage of weekend consultations is necessary. Hours worked per week vary, but are generally 40-50, depending on case load, special interests, and consultation coverage.
| Neuropsychology Track Sample Weekly Schedule |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
