Videos

NUCOG in practice

Experts at Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) developed the NUCOG tool for comprehensive screening in neuropsychiatric disorders in adults. It is being used in adult mental health services (particularly in Victoria). The NUCOG screening tool can be used to screen for cognitive impairment when there is suspected cognitive and/or adaptive functional decline, to assess baseline cognitive functioning and to monitor cognitive response to treatment interventions.

Orygen partnered with RMH to develop the following instructional video, which demonstrates the implementation of the NUCOG screening tool to a young person over the age of 18.

Please note that this is a fictional scenario and does not reflect the mental health of the young person in this video.

It is important to note that for some young people, screening may cause performance anxiety so it is important to acknowledge that this is normal and to create an opportunity for the young person to be involved in scheduling the screening (at a time when they feel they are at their best) and creating a supportive and comfortable environment. Be mindful of time allocated to screening, ensure there is plenty of time at the end of the screen for discussion of results. When discussing results and translating areas of strengths and difficulties identified by NUCOG screening to treatment planning, use the young person’s recovery goals as opportunities for incorporating skill building. For example, exploring good sleep, diet, exercise, and compensatory strategies such as asking for things to be repeated, writing things down, taking breaks to help with cognitive difficulties and facilitate achievement of recovery goals.