Association Of Postdoctoral Programs In Clinical Neuropsychology Research Articles

Professional Practices, Beliefs, and Incomes of Postdoctoral Trainees: The AACN, NAN, SCN 2020 Practice and 'Salary Survey'.

Within a portion of the 2020 professional practice and "salary survey," to update key information regarding neuropsychology postdoctoral trainees. Postdoctoral trainees were contacted via a variety of membership listings, including the listserv used by the program directors of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). Invitations sent in multiple waves to members of numerous neuropsychological organizations via e-messages and physical postcards included the request that postdoctoral trainees participate. The survey website was opened on January 17, 2020 and closed on April 2, 2020, during which time a total of 178 postdoctoral trainees in the USA and 3 in Canada participated. Response rate was estimated to be 56.4%, which adequately represents the target sample. The modal postdoctoral trainee is a woman whose internship was American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited and whose postdoctoral training is in an APPCN program that adheres to Houston Conference training guidelines. Extensive clinical experiences in neuropsychology in the form of externship practica and during internship were reported by the majority of trainees prior to postdoctoral training. There are few differences between APPCN and non-APPCN trainees and reported training experiences. Job satisfaction is high. Salaries appear to have increased substantially in recent years. There is universal interest in pursuing board certification. Support for the empirical foundations justifying assessment of response validity is high. Surveys of postdoctoral trainees continue to provide valuable perspectives regarding training background, clinical experiences, practice beliefs, and incomes of individuals who will soon launch their careers in clinical neuropsychology.

Competency-based assessment in clinical neuropsychology at the post-doctoral level: Stages, milestones, and benchmarks as proposed by an APPCN work group

Objective: In recent years, there has been considerable progress in developing competencies in Clinical Neuropsychology. The field also needs to work towards consistency in competency-based assessment of the development of each competency to ensure competent, independent practice. The purpose of this manuscript is to a) document the relevant literature, b) describe the process applied by an Association of Post-Doctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) workgroup on Competency-Based Assessment, and c) propose a framework and assessment tool for competency-based assessment at the post-doctoral training level. Methods: The work group conducted a literature review of competency-based assessment in Clinical Neuropsychology and related fields, considered various constructs for assessment, delineated a framework that can be flexible for program-specific goals, and created a tool for assessment. The workgroup then asked for review of the framework and assessment tool by APPCN Board of Directors, the APPCN Executive Committee, and Program Directors from APPCN and non-APPCN programs. Revisions were made following this review. Conclusions: This manuscript and proposed assessment tool invite constructive feedback within the community for ongoing evolution of the process and the tool. The proposed assessment tool is intended to be implemented flexibly within post-doctoral programs to respect their specific training goals while simultaneously providing underlying consistency in the method of assessing a recently proposed set of competencies within Clinical Neuropsychology. Creation of competency-based assessment tools across all training levels within Clinical Neuropsychology that facilitate continuity and hierarchical development is a long-term goal.

The APPCN multisite didactic initiative: Development, benefits, and challenges

Objective: The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted instructional activity in neuropsychology training programs. In response, the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) launched a multisite didactic initiative (MDI). This manuscript describes the development and implementation of the MDI and presents findings from a recently conducted online survey concerning MDI participation.Methods: Faculty and trainees at APPCN member programs were recruited to complete the MDI survey, administered using the Qualtrics platform, through email announcements and via website link and on-screen quick response code shared at online didactic sessions. The MDI survey instrument was designed to capture basic demographics and professional role; information regarding level of site participation, benefits of participation, barriers to participation, online conference platform(s) used, and interest in continued participation; as well as anxiety and work engagement ratings.Results: The response rate was estimated to be 21–29%. Transition to videoconferencing for didactics was noted by 80% due to Covid-19, with 17% of respondents experiencing cancellation or reduction in didactic activities. About 79% endorsed that participation in MDI activities was always or nearly always beneficial. Barriers to participation included not having time, difficulty accessing didactic information, and not knowing about the MDI. Interestingly, trainees at nonparticipating sites reported greater anxiety than trainees at participating sites.Conclusion: It is hoped that these findings will inform future efforts to develop and implement online training activities. The benefits reported by respondents suggest that this work is warranted, while reported barriers to participation identify areas for improvement.

Commentary: the postdoctoral residency match in clinical neuropsychology

Postdoctoral recruitment in clinical neuropsychology has evolved significantly over the past two decades. Prior to 1994, there were no organized recruitment guidelines for the specialty. From 1994 to 2001, the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) facilitated a uniform notification date where member programs agreed to not make offers prior to a specified date. In 2001, APPCN partnered with National Matching Services to administer a computerized match recruitment system. Presently, not all programs participate in the match. This often results in students applying to ‘match’ and ‘non-match’ programs which can lead to significant stress on the part of applicants and program directors. This issue has recently become the focus of journal articles and public discussions. The goals of this paper were to review the history of postdoctoral recruitment in clinical neuropsychology, review the benefits of coordinated recruitment systems, review the structure and function of the computerized match, and explain why the computerized match for postdoctoral recruitment in clinical neuropsychology is beneficial for the specialty of clinical neuropsychology.

Postdoctoral Recruitment in Neuropsychology: A Review and Call for Inter-Organizational Action

The history of centralized matches for postgraduate selection is briefly discussed with a focus on the match instituted by the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN) in 2001] Survey data, conducted both by APPCN and independently, are summarized. In general, despite incomplete participation and an estimated 30% rate of “exploding offers”, applicants are somewhat satisfied with the match according to recent surveys (although satisfaction varies depending on whether an applicant matched). Given the high rate of withdrawal, the history of other specialties with suboptimal participation, and the concerns most commonly expressed by participants about this issue in survey data, there is cause for concern. We assert that incomplete participation in the match hurts applicants and programs. We propose that focused efforts are needed involving multiple organizations to enhance the match, including the Clinical Neuropsychology Synarchy (CNS) as our specialty council and the multiple organizations represented on the CNS.

Survey of Graduates of Programs Affiliated With the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN)

A survey addressing training experiences and current professional practices was sent to 219 persons who had completed a 2-year postdoctoral residency in clinical neuropsychology through a program that was affiliated with the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). A total of 108 usable replies were received, yielding a response rate of 49%. More than 80% of the respondents considered completion of a 2-year postdoctoral residency to be an essential component of the training as a clinical neuropsychologist, and more than 50% indicated that their residency had yielded at least one publication in a peer-reviewed journal. They identified individual supervision as the most helpful during their postdoctoral training, and tended to remain very active in the field of clinical neuropsychology. It is concluded that APPCN-affiliated programs are largely successful in preparing residents for independent practice as clinical neuropsychologists but that there are opportunities for further didactical improvement in the area of billing and reimbursement, as well as preparation for board certification in Clinical Neuropsychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.

Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology: Update and New Directions

This paper provides an update on the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN), which was formed in 1992. The paper summarizes the historical background of APPCN, reports on contemporary influences on APPCN and its role in postdoctoral education and training in neuropsychology, and provides an update on APPCN's most recent initiatives. The paper includes a list of current members in APPCN and explains how other postdoctoral residency programs in clinical neuropsychology may apply for membership.

The association of postdoctoral programs in clinical neuropsychology (APPCN).

This paper describes the formation of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Professional Psychology (APPCN). The historical and organizational concept of APPCN is described and the founding members of this evolving network are enumerated. Conceptual and practical consultations are invited from neuropsychologists.