Screening and monitoring of cognitive impairments in psychosis using the cognitive assessment interview (CAI)

The aim of this interactive course is to train participants through the presentation of didactic material and live demonstration, in conducting a brief, interview-based assessment of cognitive functioning using the Cognitive Assessment Interview (CAI). The CAI was designed for use in routine clinical settings or as a co-primary measure in clinical trials to obtain baseline severity levels of cognitive deficits, determine their impact on daily functioning, and to screen and assess change in cognitive functioning over time.

Course methods and materials will involve small group discussion; power point slides; use of the CAI Manual and CAI Rating Form; video-taped interviews of “actual” patients being assessed with the CAI.

The course content will involve:

1. a review cognitive deficits such as problems with working memory, reasoning and problem-solving, and poor attention that are commonly observed in schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders;
2. a review of the functional impact of cognitive deficits;
3. interactive training in the use of the CAI using video-taped interviews and discussion of each participant’s ratings compared to consensus ratings; and
4. identification of how the CAI can be used in screening of cognitive functioning, treatment planning, and the ongoing assessment of change in cognition.

Course highlights include an interactive discussion of the course participant’s ratings in comparison with a set of “gold standard” ratings.

Course Director: Joseph Ventura, USA