Introduction
Clinical Neuropsychology at the Neurosciences Centre, AIIMS in New Delhi, India, provides para-clinical services following the terminology outlined by the Sneh Bhargava Commission (2012) This specialized service encompasses a comprehensive range of neuropsychological services, including psycho-diagnostics (which involves clinical history taking, psychometric assessment, and clinical observation), remediation (involving counseling and rehabilitation), and neuropsychological disability evaluations. These services address both cognitive and non-cognitive aspects for individuals with neurological and neurosurgical conditions. Established in 1969 with the appointment of Dr. Surya Gupta, this discipline has played a significant role in advancing clinical neuropsychology in the country, aiming to deliver services in line with international standards for the benefit of patients at the Neurosciences Centre at AllMS.
Furthermore, the discipline has been enriched through clinical neuropsychological educational programs in neuropsychology for M.B.B.S., Nursing, DM (Neurology), MCh (Neurosurgery), and MD (Psychiatry) students. Presently, it also supervises research projects for postgraduate students from these departments, focusing on neuropsychological psychometric assessments. The creation of distinctive neuropsychological test batteries, such as the 'AIIMS Neuropsychological Battery,' represents a significant achievement in assessing organicity, lateralization, and lobar functions across various age groups, including Adults, Children, and the Elderly. These efforts have been supported by three research projects funded by the ICMR.
Since 2005, our research and clinical services have expanded to include the development of neuropsychological screening tools for clinicians to use in their practices, history taking forms, tests, and a variety of neuropsychological rehabilitation programs for neurological and neurosurgical conditions. Committed to enhancing patient care, we provide advanced Neuropsychological services tailored to individuals with neurological disorders. By closely collaborating with clinicians at AIIMS, New Delhi, who act as primary healthcare providers in a hospital setting, we adhere to the World Health Organization's Continuum of Care Model to address the specific needs that prompt referrals.
Sneh Bhargav Commission (2012). Work Standards for Faculty of Autonomous Institutions of Medical Education under the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India. Memo. no. V-16020/57/2008-ME-I (Pt.) pp 165-174.
