Referral Question

Synonyms

Reason for referral

Definition

Rationale for requesting that a patient undergo a neuropsychological evaluation.

Current Knowledge

When an individual is referred for neuropsychological evaluation, the referral source is most often interested in obtaining a response to a few specific questions. The most useful neuropsychological report responds directly to the question being asked by the referral source. It is the responsibility of the neuropsychologist to gain clarification of the reason the patient is to be seen, if none is otherwise provided.

Some referral questions are focused on diagnostic clarification, for example:

• 1. Is the presentation consistent with a psychiatric disorder or a neurologic disorder? (e.g., depression vs. dementia)

• 2. Does this individual have a learning disorder, an attentional disorder, an oppositional defiant disorder, or some other diagnosable condition responsible for poor academics?

• 3. Is the patient’s presentation dementia or delirium?

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