SLEEP HISTORY IS NEGLECTED DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION - CHALLENGES FOR PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIANS

Sleep problems are treatable causes of morbidity and mortality, but li ttle is known about how often the history fundamental to diagnosis is obtained. We recorded the frequency of sleep histories during encounte rs with simulated patients by 20 experienced primary care practitioner s, 23 uninstructed medical interns, and 22 interns who had previous in struction about sleep disorders. Sleep histories were uncommonly obtai ned by uninstructed physicians (0% of practitioners, 13% of interns), but trained interns more often (81.8%) asked about sleep. If sleep pro blems are to be prioritized, major changes in physician education and behaviors are essential. Focused instruction about sleep influences ph ysician behavior.