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Episode 17 | The Art and Science of Delivering Feedback - With Dr. Karen Postal (Part 1)


Overview

Effective communication of neuropsychological test results and recommendations is a nuanced practice that is considered both a science and an art. Today we bring you our conversation with Karen Postal, Ph.D., ABPP-CN, the past president of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and the lead author of the book Feedback that Sticks: The Art of Effectively Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results. We talk with Dr. Postal about how to provide effective feedback as a neuropsychologist and how we can refine the communication of findings to maximize the benefit to our patients and referral sources.



apa-logo_white_screenThe International Neuropsychological Society is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The International Neuropsychological Society maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Karen Postal
Instructor Credentials

Dr. Postal is the immediate past president of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, and an instructor at Harvard Medical school. Her research focuses on helping clinicians and neuroscientists improve communication with patients and the general public. She is the author of Feedback that Sticks: the Art of Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results, and (in press) Testimony That Sticks: the Art of Communicating Neuropsychology and Psychology to Juries. Dr. Postal has a private practice dedicated to helping people think better in school, at work, and throughout later life.


Topics Covered
  • What neuropsychological feedback is and why it matters (2:50)
  • Tips for maximizing the format of a feedback session (11:01)
  • The importance of the family system in feedback (12:00)
  • How to communicate important scientific and clinical information in a digestible manner (20:14)
  • The importance of clear language and the downsides of overusing technical jargon (24:49)
  • Tips for conducting clinical interviews in a way that will set up the feedback session for success (32:25)
  • The extent to which it might be useful to discuss raw test data in a feedback session (50:47)
  • How to meet the patient where they are at rather than using the “diagnose and adios!” method (56:26)
Educational Objectives
  • Describe the primary goal of neuropsychological feedback.
  • Discuss pros and cons of delivering feedback in person on the same day, in person in a separate appointment, and over the phone.
  • Explain how to communicate more clearly to patients and their families.
  • Utilize a “yes and” approach to communicating with patients and families during neuropsychological feedback.
Target Audience
  • Introductory
Availability
  • Date Available: 2019-04-01
  • You may obtain CE for this podcast at any time.
Offered for CE
  • Yes
Cost
  • Members $20
  • Non-Members $25
Refund Policy
  • This podcast is not eligible for refunds
CE Credits
  • 1.0 Credit(s)
Disclosures
  • Dr. Karen Postal is the author of Feedback that Sticks: the Art of Communicating Neuropsychological Assessment Results, and Testimony That Sticks: the Art of Communicating Neuropsychology and Psychology to Juries. INS does not endorse products or materials discussed in the presentations.
Resources


Bibliography
  • Braun, M., Tupper, D., Kaufmann, P., McCrea, M., Postal, K., Westerveld, M., … & Deer, T. (2011). Neuropsychological assessment: A valuable tool in the diagnosis and management of neurological, neurodevelopmental, medical, and psychiatric disorders. Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, 24(3), 107-114.
  • Postal, K., Chow, C., Jung, S., Erickson-Moreo, K., Geier, F., & Lanca, M. (2018). The stakeholders’ project in neuropsychological report writing: A survey of neuropsychologists’ and referral sources’ views of neuropsychological reports. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 32(3), 326-344.
  • Postal, K. S., Wynkoop, T. F., Caillouet, B., Most, R., Roebuck-Spencer, T., Westerveld, M., … & Pliskin, N. H. (2014). 360 Degree advocacy: A model for high impact advocacy in a rapidly changing healthcare marketplace. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 28(2), 167-180.
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