Sleep education for healthcare providers: Addressing deficient sleep in Australia and New Zealand

Hailey Meaklim; Melinda L Jackson; Delwyn Bartlett; Bandana Saini; Karen Falloon; Moira Junge; James Slater; Imogen C Rehm; Lisa J Meltzer

doi:10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.012

Sleep education for healthcare providers: Addressing deficient sleep in Australia and New Zealand

Sleep Health. 2020 Oct;6(5):636-650. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.012. Epub 2020 May 15.

Authors

Hailey Meaklim¹, Melinda L Jackson², Delwyn Bartlett³, Bandana Saini⁴, Karen Falloon⁵, Moira Junge⁶, James Slater⁷, Imogen C Rehm⁸, Lisa J Meltzer⁹

Affiliations

¹ School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia; Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria. Electronic address: hailey.meaklim1@monash.edu.
² Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria; Institute for Breathing and Sleep, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria.
³ Woolcock Institute of Medical Research & University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Woolcock Institute of Medical Research & University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Pharmacy School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
⁵ Clinical Skills Centre and Department of General Practice and Primary Health Care, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
⁶ The Sleep Health Foundation, Blacktown, NSW, Australia.
⁷ The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.
⁸ School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
⁹ National Jewish Health, Denver, CO, USA.

PMID: 32423774
DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2020.01.012

Abstract

Deficient sleep has been recognized as a current health crisis in Australia and New Zealand, contributing to the increased prevalence and severity of chronic diseases and mental health issues. However, all healthcare disciplines currently receive limited training in addressing deficient sleep, which is contributing to the current health crisis. This narrative review considers the following: (1) the prevalence and burden of deficient sleep in Australia and New Zealand; (2) the limited sleep education in healthcare training programs; (3) healthcare providers' lack of knowledge and evidence-based clinical practice in sleep disorders; (4) sleep-focused education initiatives for healthcare providers; (5) an action agenda for improved sleep education for healthcare providers. Both domestic and international sleep initiatives are considered, as is the role of general practitioners (primary care physicians), pediatricians, psychologists, pharmacists, and nurses. Three key themes emerge and guide action: (1) relevant training for students from all healthcare disciplines; (2) continuing professional development for practicing healthcare providers; and (3) translation of evidence-driven best practice into clinical practice. To achieve this sleep education agenda, the sleep community must form and strengthen partnerships across professional associations, public health agencies, and education providers. By improving education and clinical practice in sleep, we will equip healthcare providers with the knowledge and skills needed to address deficient sleep in Australia and New Zealand.

Keywords: Education; Healthcare; Physician education; Sleep; Sleep disorders; Training.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Australia / epidemiology
Health Personnel / education*
Health Personnel / statistics & numerical data
Humans
New Zealand / epidemiology
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Sleep Deprivation / epidemiology
Sleep Deprivation / prevention & control*
Sleep*