Sleeping Smart

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.

6 in 10

Eighty percent of healthcare professionals believe that their patients try over-the-counter (OTC) or store-bought sleep aids often for their insomnia symptoms. OTC treatments may be suitable for some patients, but it is important for patients to let their healthcare professional know all of the medications they are taking, including OTCs and to discuss appropriate treatment options and lifestyle changes.

80%

Eighty-two percent of healthcare professionals believe that it is the responsibility of both the patient and the healthcare professional to bring up symptoms of insomnia during an appointment.

82%

The symptoms that most often prompt healthcare professionals to discuss insomnia and appropriate treatments with their patients are:

Survey Methodology

The National Online Healthcare Professional Insomnia Poll was conducted for the National Sleep Foundation by WB&A Market Research. Online interviews were conducted using a survey panel between October 9 and October 15, 2008. In order to qualify for this study, respondents had to hold the title of either Primary Care Physician, Nurse Practitioner or Physician Assistant. In survey research, the entire population is typically not interviewed, but rather a sample of that population is polled. Therefore, the data are subject to sampling error. The maximum sampling error of the data for the total sample of 301 interviews is plus or minus 5.6 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

As part of the Sleeping Smart campaign, a survey was conducted to see if Americans really are making the grade when it comes to their sleep smarts. The survey found:

Nearly 60 percent of those at increased risk for insomnia say that their symptoms affect their daily activities at least a few days a week.

Many people at increased risk for insomnia say trouble falling or staying asleep impacts their:

73%

Mood

63%

Attention/Concentration

42%

Family Relationships

36%

Job Performance

Yet, only half of those at increased risk for insomnia have actually initiated a conversation with their healthcare professional about their sleep issues.

The survey uncovered that many people at increased risk for insomnia engage in stimulating activities an hour before getting into bed at least a few nights per week, including:

Completed Household Chores

43%

Computer or Internet

33%

Watched TV

90%

More than eight in ten survey respondents think that people often or sometimes misuse prescription sleep aids.

85%

Survey Methodology

This national poll was conducted for the National Sleep Foundation by WB&A Market Research. Telephone interviews were conducted between May 13 and June 2, 2008, with a random sample of 1,002 adult Americans aged 18 and over. In survey research, the entire population is typically not interviewed, but rather a sample of that population is polled. Therefore, the data are subject to sampling error. The maximum sampling error of the data for the total sample of 1,002 interviews is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

*Those at increased risk for insomnia experience at least one sleep problem (defined in the survey results as having difficulty falling asleep, being awake a lot during the night, waking up too early and not being able to get back to sleep, or waking up un-refreshed despite spending adequate time in bed) every night or almost every night and report that this affects their daily activities. The maximum sampling error for this subgroup is plus or minus 5.3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.