A-189 Survey Findings of Challenges with Teleneuropsychological Assessment and Advice in Mitigating these Challenges

Abstract

Abstract Objective Teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) has experienced tremendous uptake during the coronavirus pandemic, and there is a need to document the challenges and practical advice for conducting remote cognitive assessments. Method 87 respondents (licensed neuropsychologists = 56; others [e.g., trainees] = 31) conducting TeleNP evaluations with adult populations in the United States completed an online survey which was distributed via social media and list-servs in winter 2020–2021. Respondents were asked about their TeleNP experiences, including issues encountered and solutions to TeleNP challenges. Frequency analyses were conducted to examine the proportion of respondents endorsing specific TeleNP challenges. TeleNP advice was thematically coded to identify the most common suggestions to overcome/navigate these challenges. Results The most frequently reported TeleNP challenges included: poor internet connectivity (examinee’s home: 82.8%; an unknown source 58.6%); environmental distractions in the examinee’s location (78.2%); poor audio quality (55.2%); examinee’s unfamiliarity with the videoconferencing technology (52.9%); inability to easily conduct visuoconstructional tasks (52.9%) or adapt tests/find TeleNP norms (47.1%); and examinees’ limited access to technology (57.5%) or complete lack of access (35.6%). The most common responses to mitigate these challenges included: providing detailed instructions about the TeleNP visit and examinee expectations in advance; having a clear back-up or assistive plan (e.g., telephone call); and using TeleNP sparingly (e.g., for interview only). Conclusion These survey results reflect widely-encountered challenges with remote cognitive assessment and identify priority targets for increasing the feasibility and reliability of TeleNP. Findings can be incorporated into discussion about formalized TeleNP competencies.