[Study on insomnia treatment by family physicians].
OBJECTIVE
To describe treatment of insomnia in general practice and to identify family physicians' training needs in this area.


METHODS
Mail survey using Dillman's total design method.


METHODS
A sampling of 484 general practitioners in the Quebec City area was done to provide roughly equal representation of six practice settings. The response rate was 65%; 295 of the 315 questionnaires returned were selected for analysis.


RESULTS
Most physicians reported treating insomnia with general advice and lifestyle changes; 25% reported prescribing hypnotics frequently; 56% reported they prescribed them occasionally. Although 58% often recommend relaxation techniques, only 8% taught these techniques to their patients. Other cognitive and behavioral approaches are rarely used. Most felt that training in treating insomnia should be offered.


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive and behavioral approaches are very effective approaches are very effective nonpharmacological treatments for insomnia. General practitioners make little use of these treatments that could be easily integrated into clinical practice. Strategies for increasing their use discussed.
Baillargeon
L
L
Unité de médecine familiale du Centre hospitalier.
Demers
M
M
Grégoire
J P
JP
Pépin
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011792:Quebec; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives