Profession of neuropsychology in Latin America.
The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics of individuals working in the profession of neuropsychology in Latin America in order to understand their background, professional training, current work situation, assessment and diagnostic procedures used, rehabilitation techniques employed, population targeted, teaching responsibilities, and research activities. A total of 808 professionals working in neuropsychology from 17 countries in Latin America completed an online survey between July 2013 and January 2014. The majority of participants were female and the mean age was 36.76 years (range 21-74 years). The majority of professionals working in neuropsychology in Latin America have a background in psychology, with some additional specialized training and supervised clinical practice. Over half work in private practice, universities, or private clinics and are quite satisfied with their work. Those who identify themselves as clinicians primarily work with individuals with learning problems, ADHD, mental retardation, TBI, dementia, and stroke. The majority respondents cite the top barrier in the use of neuropsychological instruments to be the lack of normative data for their countries. The top perceived barriers to the field include: lack of academic training programs, lack of clinical training opportunities, lack of willingness to collaborate between professionals, and lack of access to neuropsychological instruments. There is a need in Latin America to increase regulation, improve graduate curriculums, enhance existing clinical training, develop professional certification programs, validate existing neuropsychological tests, and create new, culturally-relevant instruments.
a BioCruces Health Research Institute , Cruces University Hospital , Barakaldo , Bizkaia/Spain.|b IKERBASQUE , Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain.
Juan Carlos
JC
Arango-Lasprilla
c Hunter Holmes McGuire Veterans Affairs Medical Center , Richmond , VA , USA.|d Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA.|e Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA.
Lillian
L
Stevens
e Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA.
Alejandra
A
Morlett Paredes
f Communication Sciences and Disorders , Florida International University , Miami , FL , USA.
Alfredo
A
Ardila
g Department of Psychology and Education , University of Deusto , Bilbao , Bizkaia/Spain.
Diego
D
Rivera
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009484:Neuropsychology / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Evaluation; Latin America; neuropsychologist; practice; rehabilitation; training