Abstract
Objective
Within a portion of the 2020 professional practice and “salary survey,” to update key information regarding neuropsychology postdoctoral trainees.
Methods
Postdoctoral trainees were contacted via a variety of membership listings, including the listserv used by the program directors of the Association of Postdoctoral Programs in Clinical Neuropsychology (APPCN). Invitations sent in multiple waves to members of numerous neuropsychological organizations via e-messages and physical postcards included the request that postdoctoral trainees participate. The survey website was opened on January 17, 2020 and closed on April 2, 2020, during which time a total of 178 postdoctoral trainees in the USA and 3 in Canada participated.
Results
Response rate was estimated to be 56.4%, which adequately represents the target sample. The modal postdoctoral trainee is a woman whose internship was American Psychological Association (APA)-accredited and whose postdoctoral training is in an APPCN program that adheres to Houston Conference training guidelines. Extensive clinical experiences in neuropsychology in the form of externship practica and during internship were reported by the majority of trainees prior to postdoctoral training. There are few differences between APPCN and non-APPCN trainees and reported training experiences. Job satisfaction is high. Salaries appear to have increased substantially in recent years. There is universal interest in pursuing board certification. Support for the empirical foundations justifying assessment of response validity is high.
Conclusions
Surveys of postdoctoral trainees continue to provide valuable perspectives regarding training background, clinical experiences, practice beliefs, and incomes of individuals who will soon launch their careers in clinical neuropsychology.
Professional Practices, Beliefs, and Incomes of Postdoctoral Trainees: The AACN, NAN, SCN 2020 Practice and ‘Salary Survey’
