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Schotland H, Wickwire E, Aaronson RM, Dawson SC, Khosla S, Lee-Iannotti JK, Leu RM, Lewin DS, McCrae CS, Neubauer D, Ong JC, Heffron TM, Whittington C, Martin JL. Increasing access to evidence-based insomnia care in the United States: findings from an American Academy of Sleep Medicine stakeholder summit. Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. 2023 Nov 9.
Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects. Challenges exist in access to high-quality care for insomnia disorder. After the recent publication of clinical practice guidelines on behavioral and psychological treatments for insomnia in adults, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) hosted a one-day virtual Insomnia Summit in September 2022 to discuss improving care for patients with insomnia disorder. Fifty participants representing a variety of organizations (e.g., medical, psychological, and nursing associations; patient advocacy groups; and federal institutions) participated in the event. Videos highlighting patient perspectives on insomnia and an overview of current insomnia disorder treatment guidelines were followed by thematic sessions, each with three to four brief, topical presentations by content experts. Breakout groups were used to brainstorm and prioritize issues in each thematic area. Top barriers to care for insomnia disorder include limited access, limited awareness of treatment options, low perceived value of insomnia treatment, and an insufficient number of trained clinicians. Top facilitators of high-quality care include education and awareness, novel care models to increase access, expanding the insomnia patient care workforce, incorporating research into practice, and increasing reimbursement for psychotherapies. Priorities for the future include increasing awareness among patients and providers, increasing the number of skilled behavioral sleep medicine providers, increasing advocacy efforts to address insurance issues (e.g., billing, reimbursement, and performance measures), and working collaboratively with multidisciplinary organizations to achieve common goals. These priorities highlight that goals set to improve accessible high-quality care for insomnia disorder will require sustained, coordinated efforts to increase awareness, improve reimbursement and grow the necessary skilled health care workforce.
