Knowledge of sleep apnea in a sample grouping of primary care physicians.
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine four groups of primary care physicians' knowledge of sleep apnea.


METHODS
Using a 36-item questionnaire, we investigated how cognizant primary care physicians in Ontario, Canada, were of sleep apnea and its different symptoms. The questions covered incidence, diagnosis, treatment, and medical and social ramifications of sleep apnea. Sleep apnea surveys were administered to small groups of primary care physicians attending educational conferences or were distributed by mail to physicians who had previously referred patients to the sleep clinic.


RESULTS
A total of 151 physicians responded to the survey. An overall average score of 69% was obtained on the questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
This score suggests that the physicians sampled in this pilot study are relatively under-informed about the clinical features and medical and social ramifications associated with sleep apnea.
Chung
S A
SA
Sleep Research Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto Western Hospital, The University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. sachung@uhnres.utoronto.ca
Jairam
S
S
Hussain
M R
MR
Shapiro
C M
CM
D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011361:Professional Competence; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes