Health Dialog unveils new Shared Decision Making program for insomnia patients

Mar 10 2011

Health Dialog unveiled today a new Shared Decision Making® program titled "Sleeping Better: Help for Long-Term Insomnia," to give patients information they need to make informed treatment decisions for this condition.

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, insomnia is a common disorder. One in three adults suffers from periodic insomnia while one in ten adults has chronic insomnia. For those who suffer, insomnia affects everything they do - work, recreation, and home - and can also be part of broader underlying health issue, such as anxiety or depression.

However, according to an online healthcare professional poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation, six in ten healthcare professionals do not feel that they have enough time to have a discussion with their patients about insomnia during regular office visits. For patients, this means lack of education, awareness, and ultimately treatment.

"Sleeping Better: Help for Long-Term Insomnia", a new program, describes how long-term sleep problems can interfere with daily functions and how various treatment options can improve sleep and chronic insomnia, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and short-term use of prescription sleep medications.

In addition to reviewing formal courses of treatment, the program provides patient-friendly tips for dealing with insomnia; encouraging conversations with primary care doctors about sleep programs as a first step; and keeping a sleep log to identify problems and see how well treatments work.

With this information, patients can become more confident and engaged in deciding which treatment options are best for them. This program is the latest addition to Health Dialog's nationally-recognized Shared Decision Making® library of medical decision aids.

"Getting a sufficient amount of sleep is critical to health," said Jan Maurer, MD, Vice President & Senior Medical Director, Health Dialog. "When you can't sleep you can't function and longer-term health issues can follow, including obesity and chronic disease. This program reflects our commitment to empowering patients to take control of their health and work collaboratively with their physicians."