The profession of neuropsychology in Spain: results of a national survey.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the current status of professional neuropsychology in Spain, with particular focus on the areas of professional training, current work situation, evaluation and diagnostic practice, rehabilitation, teaching, and research.


METHODS
Three hundred and thirty-nine self-identified professionals in neuropsychology from Spain completed an online survey between July and December of 2013. Respondents had an average age of 35.8 years and 77% were women.


RESULTS
Ninety-seven percent of the respondents identified as psychologists; 82% of the sample had a master's degree, and 33% a doctoral degree. The majority (91%) received their neuropsychological training at a graduate level; 88% engaged in neuropsychological evaluation, 59% in rehabilitation, 50% in research, and 40% in teaching. Average number of hours per week dedicated to work in neuropsychology was 29.7, with 28% of the respondents reporting working in hospitals, 17% in not-for-profit rehabilitation centers, 15% in universities, and 14% in private clinics. Clinicians primarily work with individuals with stroke, traumatic brain injury, and dementia. The top perceived barriers to development of neuropsychology in Spain included lack of clinical and academic training opportunities, and negative attitude toward professional collaboration.


CONCLUSIONS
The field of neuropsychology in Spain is young and rapidly growing. There is a need to regulate professional neuropsychology, improve graduate curricula, enhance existing clinical training, develop professional certification programs, validate and create normative data for existing neuropsychological tests, and create new, culturally relevant instruments.
a Department of Psychology , University of Deusto , Bilbao , Spain.
Laiene
L
Olabarrieta-Landa
b Centro de Investigación Mente, Cerebro y Comportamiento (CIMCYC) , University of Granada , Granada , Spain.
Alfonso
A
Caracuel
b Centro de Investigación Mente, Cerebro y Comportamiento (CIMCYC) , University of Granada , Granada , Spain.|c Comisión de Neuropsicología del Colegio Oficial de Psicólogos de Andalucía Oriental (COPAO) , Granada , Spain.
Miguel
M
Pérez-García
a Department of Psychology , University of Deusto , Bilbao , Spain.
Ivan
I
Panyavin
d Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , VA , USA.
Alejandra
A
Morlett-Paredes
e IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain.|f BioCruces Health Research Institute , Cruces University Hospital , Barakaldo , Spain.
Juan Carlos
JC
Arango-Lasprilla
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009484:Neuropsychology / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education* / Q000639:trends; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Neuropsychology survey; Spain; professional development