For professionals
Referring a patient
This page is for general practitioners, paediatricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians and school doctors, and for speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, psychomotor therapists, special educational needs coordinators and PCO-TND coordinators. It sets out the referral indications accepted, the content of assessment reports, current working arrangements and how to refer.
Practitioner
Qualification and scope
Cyrielle Hue, psychologist specialising in neuropsychology (Master II in cognitive and clinical neuropsychology, University of Strasbourg, 2014). Clinical training on master’s placements in the neurology department and memory centre (CMRR) of the Hôpitaux Civils de Colmar, then in the CMRR of Reims university hospital. Hospital practice at the Hôpitaux Robert Schuman in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg since 2015. Training in cognitive behavioural therapy in progress at the AFTCC.
Scope: neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, adults and older adults; cognitive remediation; cognitive behavioural psychotherapy; social skills and assertiveness groups; guidance for carers and families.
Indications
Referral indications accepted
Six clinical situations in which a neuropsychological assessment adds information that clinical examination alone does not provide.
Neurodevelopmental conditions · child, adolescent, adult
Suspected or established ADHD, specific learning disorder, autism spectrum disorder or intellectual developmental disorder. Expected contribution: documenting the cognitive profile, separating competing hypotheses and evidencing the functional impact required for administrative files and requests for school or examination adjustments.
Acquired brain injury · adolescent, adult, older adult
Cognitive impairment following stroke, traumatic brain injury, anoxia or a brain tumour. Expected contribution: identifying affected functions and preserved resources, guiding rehabilitation and adapting support strategies. In this indication the assessment can be requested early. The aim is care, not differential diagnosis.
Neurodegenerative conditions · adult, older adult
Support for differential diagnosis and follow-up: Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, vascular neurocognitive disorder and related syndromes. Expected contribution: characterising the profile of impairment against norms, and providing a quantified baseline for later reviews.
Neuropsychiatric conditions · adolescent, adult
Cognitive impact associated with mood disorders, psychotic disorders or addiction. Expected contribution: measuring the actual extent of cognitive impairment where complaint and performance do not necessarily coincide, and following its course under treatment.
Investigating a cognitive complaint · adult, older adult
Impact of stress, fatigue, a sleep disorder or a physical illness on memory, attention and executive functions. Expected contribution: objectifying the gap between the complaint expressed and the performance measured, and providing an argument usable in consultation.
Specific cognitive profiles · child, adolescent, adult
Questions about overall functioning: suspected high intellectual potential, or ADHD or autism spectrum condition compensated for or masked in daily life. Expected contribution: clarifying an atypical picture (particularly in adults diagnosed late) by distinguishing the level of overall cognitive efficiency from intra-individual dissociations.
Practical framework
Current arrangements
Assessment at the patient’s home
The practice in Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes has not opened yet. Assessments are therefore carried out at the patient’s home, in Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes and the surrounding area. Material condition to pass on to the patient: a quiet room, away from noise, with no one passing through for the duration of the testing.
Psychotherapy by video consultation
CBT sessions take place exclusively by video consultation, with a secure link sent before each session. This removes the travel constraint for patients outside the home-visit area.
Cognitive remediation at the practice
Remediation sessions will be held at the practice only. Home visits can be considered for patients living in the area close to Sainte-Marie-aux-Chênes, while the practice is waiting to open within the future health centre.
Procedure
How to refer a patient
There is no dedicated referral form: referral goes by e-mail, like any appointment request.
Give the patient the useful documents
A referral letter setting out the reason, the question asked and the relevant medical information (imaging, previous assessments, current medication) makes the history-taking considerably more efficient. Failing that, a simple mention of the reason in your usual letter is enough.
The patient makes contact themselves, in writing
The request is initiated by the patient or their legal representative, through the contact page. It gives their contact details, the reason (assessment, psychotherapy, remediation) and what they are dealing with. This principle ensures the step is consented to, which conditions the quality of the assessment.
The phone is not answered during assessments and therapy sessions. No request is handled through that channel.
You can contact me directly for an opinion
A question about whether a referral is appropriate, about which type of assessment is indicated, or about a profile already assessed elsewhere: write to me stating your professional role and the context of your question. I reply as soon as I can, usually within the week.
Special case: the PCO-TND pathway
Referral goes through the platform, which then calls on partner practitioners. The family has no financial step to take.
A question about a referral?
Write to me stating your professional role and the context of your question. I reply as soon as I can, usually within the week.
Get in touch