ABSTRACT
The clinical interview is the foundation of any neuropsychological evaluation with older adults. It includes the process for informed consent and the collection of a comprehensive history of the presenting complaint and its impact on the patient's and family's daily life. The clinical interview also allows neuropsychologists to obtain important information about the patient's premorbid history, family history, and additional complicating medical and/or psychosocial variables. All of this information is crucial to differential diagnosis and treatment planning. This chapter first reviews steps that neuropsychologists should take before setting up the interview, such as clarification of the referral question(s), review of medical and other relevant records, and preparation of the patient at the time of scheduling the appointment. It subsequently describes the process of obtaining a thorough medical and psychosocial history of the patient and their family, with potential input from collateral informants and/or the use of recent technologies like telehealth.
