Introduction to Obstructive Sleep Apnea for the Internist.

Area of Science:

• Sleep Medicine
• Medical Education
• Primary Care

Background:

• Increasing prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing necessitates expanded clinical capacity.
• Shortage of sleep medicine specialists limits patient access to care.
• Primary care and internal medicine physicians require enhanced training in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an experiential workshop for internal medicine residents focused on practical OSA management.
• To address the deficit in formal training regarding positive airway pressure (PAP) devices and sleep study interpretation.

Main Methods:

• A 2.5-hour interactive workshop was conducted for approximately 60 internal medicine residents.
• The workshop included didactic presentations and hands-on breakout sessions covering PAP devices, sleep testing reports, and case discussions.
• Eight facilitators guided small-group activities and equipment interaction.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in both subjective and objective knowledge scores regarding OSA management post-workshop.
• Only 50% of participants had prior formal instruction on PAP devices, highlighting the need for such training.
• Trainee feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with participants appreciating the interactive format.

Conclusions:

• The developed curriculum effectively enhances practical knowledge of OSA management for primary care physicians and internists.
• This interactive educational model is well-received and adaptable for various learners and time constraints.
• Such training is crucial for improving the management of sleep-disordered breathing in primary care settings.