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Episode 76 | Aerospace Neuropsychology - With Dr. Randy Georgemiller


Overview

A high level of cognitive functioning is crucial to the safe and competent operation of aircraft. Neuropsychologists are increasingly called upon to perform cognitive evaluations of commercial airline pilots and these evaluations are unique in many ways compared to more conventional clinical assessments in hospital settings. In this episode, we discuss the ins and outs of aerospace neuropsychology, including important clinically relevant evidence-based advice and guidance for neuropsychologists looking to extend their practice by evaluating aviators.



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.

Randy Georgemiller
Instructor Credentials

Dr. Randy Georgemiller is a board certified clinical psychologist who works as a neuropsychologist for the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Aerospace Medicine. Prior to accepting a full time position, he served as an FAA Neuropsychology Consultant for more than two decades. Professionally, he led a multisite group psychology practice in Chicago for 20 years where aviation neuropsychology and addictions were primary focuses of his work. Relevant experience included his decade long consulting psychologist position with the Hazelden Foundation in Chicago. Most recently, his experience includes tenure with Army Medicine as a neuropsychologist. Besides being a fellow of the American Psychological Association and Illinois Psychological Association he has held leadership positions within both professional organizations. He has published and presented before national and international organizations in the fields of neuropsychology, aviation psychology, military psychology, LGBT psychology, and geropsychology.


Topics Covered
  • The HIMS program.
  • The path for neuropsychologists to become credentialed to complete evaluations for pilots.
  • Commercial, general, and military aviation.
  • Fatigue and aviation.
  • Ways in which the aging process can impact aviation skills and performance.
  • The impact of subclinical cognitive and psychological symptoms on pilot performance and how neuropsychologists can measure these symptoms.
  • The CogScreen-AE.
  • The use of criterion-referenced versus norm-referenced standards in neuropsychological evaluations of pilots.
  • Validity issues in the neuropsychological evaluation of pilots.
  • Evaluations of air traffic controllers.
Educational Objectives
  • List the cognitive skills required for competent performance in the cockpit.
  • Discuss the ways in which the aging process can impact aviation skills and performance.
  • Describe how subclinical cognitive and psychological symptoms can impact pilot performance and how neuropsychologists can measure these symptoms.
  • Listeners will apply the knowledge gained in this episode by performing competent neuropsychological evaluations of pilots.
Target Audience
  • Introductory
Availability
  • Date Available: 2021-08-01
  • 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
  • N/A
Resources
  • N/A
Bibliography
  • Causse, M., Dehais, F., Arexis, M., & Pastor, J. (2011,). Cognitive aging and flight performances in general aviation pilots. Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 18(5), 544-561. https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2011.586018
  • Durso, F. T., Bleckley, M. K., & Dattel, A. R. (2006). Does situation awareness add to the validity of cognitive tests? Human Factors The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, 48(4), 721-733. https://doi.org/10.1518/001872006779166316
  • Federal Aviation Administration. (2021). FAA HIMS NEUROPSYCHOLOGISTS. Federal Aviation Administration. https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/aam/ame/guide/media/AeromedicalNeuropsychologistList.pdf
  • Kennedy, H. C., & Kay, G. G. (Eds). (2013) Aeromedical Psychology. CRC Press
  • Klaproth, O. W., Halbrugge, M., Krol, L. R., Vernaleken, C., Zander, T. O., & Russwinkel, N. (2020). A Neuroadaptive Cognitive Model for Dealing With Uncertainty in Tracing Pilots' Cognitive State. Topics in Cognitive Science, 12(3), 1012-1029. https://doi.org/10.1111/tops.12515
  • Neuhaus, C., & Hinkelbein, J. (2014). Cognitive responses to hypobaric hypoxia: implications for aviation training. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 7, 297-302. https://doi.org/10.2147/PRBM.S51844
  • Oberhauser, M., Dreyer, D., Braunstingl, R., & Koglbauer, I. (2018). What’s Real About Virtual Reality Flight Simulation? Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 8(1), 22-34. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000134
  • Rosa, E., Eiken, O., Grönkvist, M., Kölegård, R., Dahlström, N., Knez, I., Ljung, R., Jönsson, F. U., & Willander, J. (2020). Effects of Fatigue on Cognitive Performance in Long-Duration Simulated Flight Missions. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 10(2), 82-93. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000191
  • Santilhano, W., Bor, R., & Hewitt, L. M. M. (2019). The Role of Peer Support and Its Contribution as an Effective Response to Addressing the Emotional Well-Being of Pilots. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 9(2), 67-76. https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000163
  • Van Benthem, K., & Herdman, C. M. (2016). Cognitive Factors Mediate the Relation Between Age and Flight Path Maintenance in General Aviation. Aviation Psychology and Applied Human Factors, 6(2), 81-90. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1027/2192-0923/a000102
  • Yesavage, J. A., Jo, B., Adamson, M. M., Kennedy, Q., Noda, A., Hernandez, B., Zeitzer, J. M., Friedman, L. F., Fairchild, K., Scanlon, B. K., Murphy, G. M., Jr., & Taylor, J. L. (2011). Initial cognitive performance predicts longitudinal aviator performance. The Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 66(4), 444-453. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbr031
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