Date: January 22,
2001
Contact: Marketing Dept., 614.766.0773
ACCORDING
TO NEW SURVEY FROM THE
NATIONAL SLEEP FOUNDATION
Patients Must Initiate Discussions with Primary Care Doctors
About Sleep Related Issues
DUBLIN, OH--
According to a survey released today by the National Sleep
Foundation (NSF), more than two-thirds (69%) of primary care
physicians surveyed believe it is their responsibility to raise
issues about sleep with their patients, however, nearly all (96%)
said the discussion is more likely to occur if the patient
initiates it. Time is the major factor, nearly three-quarters
(70%) of the primary care physicians surveyed said discussing
sleep issues takes time away from other medical problems.
A key to raising
awareness to sleep-related issues could be offering more
continuing education and diagnostic tools. More than
three-quarters of those surveyed (80%) said they and their peers
are not as knowledgeable about sleep problems as they should be.
Nearly all respondents want more training in sleep issues during
their residency with continued education made available,
particularly in the area of insomnia. More than 80 percent agreed
the availability of effective treatments and "simple
diagnostic tools" would encourage them to prioritize sleep
related issues with their patients.
"Too many
people go through life sleepy because they are not always aware of
their sleepiness or that their sleepiness may be due to a sleep
disorder that usually can be effectively treated," said
Helmut S. Schmidt, MD founder and medical director of the Ohio
Sleep Medicine Institute. "Proper diagnosis and treatment are
essential, and can result in a great improvement in the quality of
a person's life. More importantly, practicing preventive Sleep
Medicine should become the focus in addressing the numerous public
health problems that result from untreated sleep related
disorders." Schmidt added.
Due to the
extremely busy schedules of primary care physicians, these
findings clearly indicate that people must be empowered to take
the first step in dealing with their sleep problems. To foster the
beginning of sleep discussions, the NSF prepared a simple guide to
help patients with sleep problems prepare for a visit to their
primary care doctor. "Sleep Talk With Your Doctor,"
includes a list of sleep related questions to ask physicians and
information the patient should bring to the appointment.
For a copy of
"Sleep Talk With Your Doctor" or an interview with board
certified Sleep Medicine specialist, Helmut S. Schmidt, MD.
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