Approximately 30 million Americans suffer from chronic insomnia, but six in 10 doctors don't feel that they have enough time to have a discussion with their patients about the problem, according to a new study.
The study also found that 82 percent of healthcare professionals believe that it is the responsibility of both the patient and the doctor to initiate the conversation about insomnia, and that 80 percent of healthcare professionals believe their patients try OTC sleep aids often to treat their insomnia symptoms.
The most frequent symptom to prompt a doctor to start a discussion about insomnia was when patients reported having trouble falling and staying asleep, closely followed by depression, anxiety, or stress.
The study results come from a poll of 301 healthcare professionals online between October 9 and October 15, 2008.
To learn more about the study:
- read this PR Newswire piece (reg. req.)