Management of Sleep Apnea & Insomnia in Primary Care

 

Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea are the two most common sleep disorders managed by general practitioners in Australia, affecting more than 4 million Australians and costing over $66 billion annually. However, GPs report limited access to tools, knowledge, referral options and resources to effectively manage these sleep disorders. 

 

This has resulted in:

 

• High rates of potentially addictive sedative-hypnotic prescriptions for insomnia, despite Royal Australian College of General Practitioner guidelines recommending cognitive and behavioural treatment approaches as first-line treatment, and

• Many patients with uncomplicated sleep apnoea being referred to specialist sleep clinics, resulting in very long waiting times for patients, despite evidence demonstrating that sleep apnoea can be effectively managed in general practice.

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The MOSIP trial (Management of Obstructive Sleep apnea and Insomnia in Primary care) trial has been established in response to this significant pressure on the Australian health care system. This is an implementation and logistical trial using proven treatment techniques and builds on the previous research of the group through the National Centre for Sleep Health Services Research.

 

To improve the management of insomnia and sleep apnea our multi-disciplinary team aims to recruit around 20 general practices across South Australia, providing a suite of sleep disorders management packages tailored to general practice, including:

 

• eHealth Screening and decision support tools for insomnia and sleep apnea

• Simple guidelines tailored for general practice,

• A suite of evidence-based referral/treatment options for insomnia and sleep apnea,

• Education and reimbursement for GPs and practice nurses, and 

• Improved access to sleep specialists and ‘sleep’ psychologists for referral/advice regarding complex presentations.​

 

This trial is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia’s Partnership Project initiative and has ethics approval through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.