Psychology Control

The psychological report

Psychological reports are used for a wide variety of questions, for example clarifying the effects of physical illnesses on performance, obtaining a weapon possession card, traffic psychological or other questions …

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• Who prepares psychological reports?
• What is the difference between psychological findings and expert opinions?
• Quality criteria and principles of a psychological report
• Types of psychological reports
• Who can commission an expert opinion?
• Whom can I ask?
• How are the costs going to be covered?

Who prepares psychological reports?

Clinical-psychological reports are prepared exclusively by clinical psychologists, health psychological reports by health psychologists. The "Guideline for the preparation of clinical-psychological and health psychological findings and reports" (2012) of the Ministry of Health is to be regarded as a so-called standard of care for these reports.

What is the difference between psychological findings and expert opinions?

Expert opinions are to be differentiated conceptually from findings. Clinical-psychological or health-psychological findings (or reports) represent the results of a clinical-psychological or health-psychological examination. These are based on a corresponding question or a suspected diagnosis.

Clinical-psychological or health-psychological reports answer clearly and conclusively precisely defined questions from the field of clinical or health psychology. This is done on the basis of a survey, the specialist knowledge (including the current state of research) as well as the professional experience and reflection on everyday experiences. The report serves as a basis for decision-making for the client.

Quality criteria and principles of a psychological report

In order to produce psychological reports, experts need special expertise on the respective issue. You have to use the latest scientific knowledge as a guide. Experts must be neutral, impartial and independent, and act transparently. Suitable test procedures should be used that allow the most comprehensive possible collection of information. Attention must be paid to the reasonableness for the patient. The result of the report must be understandable and conclusive.

In addition, it must be clarified and agreed from the start that the facts in connection with the report are not secrets according to the obligation of confidentiality and that they are communicated to a specified group of people. However, all findings that are not relevant for the preparation of the report are to be treated confidentially.

Types of psychological reports

The following reports are possible:

• Court opinion,
• Private appraisal,
• Expert opinions for administrative authorities,
• Expert opinions (commissioned by a party to the dispute) and
• Top report (in the case of contradicting reports).

Who can commission an expert opinion?

In principle, expert opinions can be commissioned by anyone (private individuals, legal entities, administrative authorities, courts). Psychological reports convey empirical values for decisions. However, the decision on the matter is made by the client, not the expert.

Whom can I ask?

• A general search is offered by the list of clinical psychologists and the list of health psychologists.
• The Professional Association of Psychologists (BÖP) offers further information on sworn and court-certified experts in psychology on its website.
• Court experts can be searched for using the list of court experts and court interpreters of the judicial authorities. The main association for judicial experts offers an online search.

How are the costs going to be covered?

The client has to pay the price for the preparation of the expert opinion. It is based on various factors, such as the time required, the distance traveled, the scope of the questions and the expert opinion.