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Patients' knowledge and attitudes regarding sleep and hypnotics
1Seltjarnarnes Primary Health Care Centre, Iceland.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Patients often use hypnotics long-term after trying home remedies for sleep issues. While generally informed, elderly patients need better education on hypnotic effects and risks from healthcare providers.
Area of Science:
- Sleep Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Patient Education
Background:
- Long-term hypnotic use is prevalent among patients.
- Patients frequently experience persistent sleep problems before initiating hypnotic therapy.
- Self-management with household remedies is common before seeking prescription medication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess patient knowledge, attitudes, and opinions concerning hypnotics.
- To understand patient perspectives on sleep, sleep requirements, and hypnotic usage.
- To identify factors influencing hypnotic prescription and patient adherence.
Main Methods:
- A mailed questionnaire survey was administered.
- The study included 143 randomly selected patients from a primary health care center.
- Data collected covered sleep habits, hypnotic use, and perceived effects.
Main Results:
- Most patients use hypnotics regularly and long-term, often without attempting to fall asleep naturally first.
- Patient knowledge regarding sleep hygiene and hypnotic effects was generally good, with frequent use of home remedies.
- Elderly patients demonstrated less awareness of hypnotic side effects and disadvantages compared to younger individuals.
Conclusions:
- Patients typically initiate hypnotic use after prolonged sleep disturbances and exhausting home remedies.
- Awareness of hypnotic benefits, abuse, and addiction potential is generally high among patients.
- Physician communication is crucial; doctors must adequately inform patients about hypnotics at the time of prescription.