Assessing the knowledge and attitude general physician about sleep medicine in Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Although sleep disorders are common, these are under-recognized and under-estimated by many physicians due to lack of physician’s education in sleep and sleep disorders. Insomnia and sleep apnea are two of the most common sleep disorders. We conducted this survey to assess the general knowledge and attitude of primary health care physicians in Qazvin toward sleep disorders. A questionnaire including self report measures of the frequency and routines of treatment and assessment of sleep problems was distributed to 243 general physicians in Qazvin. 49.3% of physicians were male and 50.6% were female. Only 45.7% agreed that sleep disorders are a distinct medical specialty and 71.2% felt that sleep disorders are common medical problems based on their practice. The recognition of some of the serious consequences of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was poor that were shown below; motor vehicle accidents (82.7%), ischemic heart disease (65.8%), hypertension (70.8%), depression (94.2%), pulmonary hypertension (51%) and metabolic disorders (60.5%). We concluded that general physicians in Qazvin do not recognize the importance and impact of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome and other sleep disorders. Education of general physicians about sleep disorders may increase detection of sleep disorders; and the number of referrals, the provision of proper treatment and the prevention of complications. We thanks all the participants of the survey for their kind cooperation.