0 points, SCA Band 1, 0.000 EFTSL
Postgraduate - Unit
Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.
Faculty
Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Organisational Unit
School of Psychological Sciences
Chief examiner(s)
Dr Rene Stolwyk
Professor Jennie Ponsford
Coordinator(s)
Dr Rene Stolwyk
Professor Jennie Ponsford
Unit guides
Synopsis
This subject has two components. In the Neuropsychological Assessment component, students will be introduced to the scientist-practitioner model of neuropsychology, incorporating a hypothesis testing approach to assessment. Students will be exposed to a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches designed to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. They will learn how to select which tests are most appropriate in specific clinical situations and how to administer, score and interpret each measure. Formulation and report writing skills will be imparted in addition to competencies relating to psychoeducation and recommendation provision. Specific issues regarding assessment of decision making capacity, acute assessment, longitudinal assessment and assessment of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be covered.
In the Neuropsychological Syndromes component, students will become familiar with the pathophysiology, principles of neuropsychological assessment, psychosocial and treatment issues relating to a number of the most common neuropsychological syndromes, including traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular disorders, dementias, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, HIV-related disorders, neoplasms, epilepsy, neuropsychiatric disorders, drug and alcohol-related disorders. Sessions will feature guest lecturers who are experts in their fields.
Outcomes
On completion of this unit students will:
- Be able to critically evaluate a wide range of neuropsychological tests and scales designed to assess numerous aspects of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning;
- Be able to plan neuropsychological assessments, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate to specific clinical contexts and referrals (eg; across the lifespan, cross-cultural assessment etc.);
- Be able to interpret and integrate information obtained during neuropsychological assessment to formulate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's neuropsychological function;
- Be able to disseminate neuropsychological assessment findings across a range of formats (reports, verbal feedback) and audiences (other clinicians, clients, family);
- Be able to provide a verbal description of the neuropsychological deficits associated with common inherited and acquired neuropsychological disorders;
- Be able to recognise and differentiate between common syndromes on the basis of the patient's history, presentation and assessment results;
- Feel confident in planning and executing a formal assessment of a patient presenting with each syndrome;
- Be aware of psychosocial and treatment issues associated with each disorder.
Assessment
Take Home Exercises (Hurdle Requirement)
Case 1 (15%)
Case 2 (15%)
Case 3 (20%)
Neuropsychological Syndromes Weekly Assignments (50%)