Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/20228
Title
Attitudes to insomnia by Primary Care physicians of Majorca (Spain)
Author(s)
Date issued
2016-06
Citation
Torrens I, Ortuno M, Guerra JI, Esteva M, Lorente P. Attitudes to insomnia by Primary Care physicians of Majorca (Spain). Aten Prim. 2016 Jun;48(6):374-82. Epub 2015 Nov 2.
Language
Español
Document type
research article
Abstract
Objectives: To describe the current clinical management of insomnia by family physicians. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Majorca Health Area, 2011-2012. Participants: Family physicians (FP). Paediatricians, resident physicians and emergency physicians were excluded. Measurements: Using a self-administered questionnaire, the following variables were collected: social, demographic, professional, training in insomnia, prescription preferences, and its clinical management. Results: A total of 322 of 435 physicians answered (74%), of whom 55% were female. The mean age was 48 years with a mean of 21 years in the profession. Most of them consider insomnia as a major health problem, and refer to asking patients about sleep habits and its impact on daily life. About one third have been trained in insomnia in the last 5 years. Very few (0.6%) refers patients to a psychiatrist, and 1.9% to a psychologist. The most prescribed drugs are benzodiazepines (33.4%) and Z drugs (25.7%), with 69.4% of them claiming to have checked the treatment after month of onset. Most refer to advice about sleep hygiene measures (85.1%), 15.1% prescribe herbal remedies, and 14.2% behavioural cognitive therapy (CBT). Seven out often physicians consider CBT as effective and applicable by both physicians and nurses. The older FPs prescribe benzodiazepines with less frequency, while female FPs prescribe more sleep hygiene measures and herbal remedies. Conclusions: Most FPs consider insomnia as a major health problem, in which they usually get involved. The most commonly used treatments are sleep hygiene advice, followed by benzodiazepines and Z drugs. The CBT is considered effective but not widely used. (c) 2015 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U.
Subject
MESH
Male | Self Report | Spain | Attitude of Health Personnel | Female | Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders | Humans | Middle Aged | Physicians, Primary Care | Cross-Sectional Studies
DECS
Estudios Transversales | Trastornos del Inicio y del Mantenimiento del Sueño | Humanos | Persona de Mediana Edad | Femenino | Autoinforme | Actitud del Personal de Salud | Médicos de Atención Primaria | España | Masculino
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