Objective The aim of the present study was to develop and pilot a measure of patient satisfaction that encompasses themes, activities, settings and interactions specific to the neuropsychological assessment process. Methods A focus group of out-patients (n=15) was surveyed to identify the factors commonly associated with a satisfactory neuropsychological experience. Responses informed a purposely designed 14-item patient satisfaction scale (α=0.88) that was completed by 66 hospital out-patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. Results Satisfaction with the neuropsychological assessment process was generally reported, with the testing phase (85%) rated significantly more favourably than the pre-assessment (79%) and feedback (70%) phases. Commentaries provided by 32 respondents identified interpersonal facilitators to a satisfactory neuropsychological assessment experience, but also dissatisfaction with physical aspects of the testing environment in addition to service availability. Conclusions The patient satisfaction scale can be used as a quality assurance tool to evaluate neuropsychological service delivery. Large-scale research is needed to confirm the scale's psychometric properties. Further research may also include a broader perspective on the consumers' experience of neuropsychological services.

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BACKGROUND Sorting tests detect cognitive decline in older adults who have a neurodegenerative disorder, such as Alzheimerʼs and Parkinsonʼs disease. Although equally effective at detecting impairment as other cognitive screens (e.g. Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE)), sorting tests are not commonly used in this context. This study examines the QuickSort, which is a new brief sorting test that is designed to screen older adults for cognitive impairment. DESIGN Observational cohort study. SETTING General community and inpatients, Australia. PARTICIPANTS Older (≥60 years) community‐dwelling adults (n = 187) and inpatients referred for neuropsychological assessment (n = 78). A normative subsample (n = 115), screened for cognitive and psychological disorders, was formed from the community sample. MEASUREMENTS Participants were administered the QuickSort, MMSE, Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale‐21. The QuickSort requires people to sort nine stimuli by color, shape, and number, and to explain the basis for their correct sorts. Sorting (range = 0–12), Explanation (range = 0–6), and Total (range = 0–18) scores were calculated for the QuickSort. RESULTS The Cognitively Healthy subsample completed the QuickSort within 2 minutes, 50% had errorless performance, and 95% had Total scores of 10 or greater. The likelihood of community‐dwelling older adults and inpatients (n = 260) being impaired on either the MMSE or FAB, or both, increased by a factor of 3.75 for QuickSort Total scores of less than 10 and reduced by a factor of 0.23 for scores of 10 or greater. CONCLUSION The QuickSort provides a quick, reliable, and valid alternative to lengthier cognitive screens (e.g., MMSE and FAB) when screening older adults for cognitive impairment. The QuickSort performance of an older adult can be compared with a cognitively healthy normative sample and used to estimate the likelihood they will be impaired on either the MMSE or FAB, or both. Clinicians can also use evidence‐based modeling to customize the QuickSort for their setting.

Background: Sorting tests are amongst the most sensitive cognitive tests for detecting brain injury, but are rarely used to screen older adults for cognitive impairment. A recent meta-analysis (Foran, Mathias & Bowden) found that sorting ability deteriorates in older adults who have been diagnosed with one of a number of common neurodegenerative disorders, suggesting that sorting tests may provide an alternative to cognitive screens. The QuickSort is a new test that improves on existing sorting tasks, with the manual and test stimuli freely accessible to users (Foran, Mathias & Bowden, 2020). It is quicker to administer and score, and better suited for use with older adults whose cognitive ability may be compromised. Method:A consecutive cohort of older (≥60 years) community-dwelling adults (n=187) and hospital inpatients who were referred for a neuropsychological assessment (n=73) were administered the Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and QuickSort (9-stimuli, which must be sorted by color, shape & number; Total score range = 0-18; higher scores indicate better cognition).A Cognitively-Healthy normative subsample (n=115), screened for cognitive and psychological disorders, was formed from the community sample. Results:The Cognitively-Healthy subsample completed the QuickSort within 2minutes, 50% had errorless performance, and 95% scored 10 or more. The likelihood of community-dwelling older adults and inpatients (n=260) being impaired on either the MMSE or FAB, or both, increased by a factor of 3.52 for QuickSort Total scores <10 and reduced by a factor of 0.23 for scores ≥10. Conclusion:Most healthy older adults complete the QuickSort quickly and easily. The QuickSort performance of a patient can be compared to their cognitively-healthy peers in order to estimate the likelihood that they will be impaired on either the MMSE or FAB, or both. The QuickSort can also be customized for use in specific settings. The QuickSort may provide an alternative to lengthier cognitive screens (MMSE and FAB) in settings that have very limited clinical resources.