Evaluating malingering in cognitive and memory examinations: a guide for clinicians

Abstract

SummaryCognitive and memory testing are a common part of clinical practice, but professional concerns are sometimes raised that the individual being tested might be feigning deficits. Most clinicians have limited experience and training in detecting malingering in such cognitive testing, and the very issue raises considerable ethical dilemmas. Nevertheless, psychiatric work faces ever greater potential for legal scrutiny, and failure to appropriately evaluate potential malingering risks professional embarrassment and distress. There is a need for clinicians to make themselves aware of the ways in which malingered behaviour might be evaluated through the clinical history, the use of routine psychometric testing and, particularly, the use of symptom validity (‘malingering’) tests. This article describes these factors and gives guidance on the appropriate reporting of findings.Learning Objectives•Better understand the complexities in cognitive assessment where malingering is suspected.•Understand the types and limitations of the major symptom validity tests.•Be better prepared to produce documentation and reports stating test findings.