|
One third of the U.S. population suffers from some form of sleep disorder, most going undiagnosed. In response to this need, the Metropolitan Sleep Disorders Center created The Community Physician Sleep Partnership, a program designed to help primary care physicians collaborate with sleep professionals to provide diagnostic tools and consultation for management of their patients with sleep disorders.
Historically, the process to test for sleep apnea has been long and complex. Typically, patients with symptoms of sleep apnea are referred for an initial intake at a sleep center and a sleep study is requested. But the waiting list for a sleep study in a laboratory is often 4-8 weeks. Then, once the sleep study is conducted, the patient returns to see the sleep physician within days or sometimes weeks to discuss the results and initiate treatment.
With the Community Physician Sleep Partnership (CPSP), this process of diagnosis and treatment is streamlined for physicians and their patients. The primary care physician conducts their own comprehensive evaluation to determine if an individual is likely to have sleep apnea and directly requests a home sleep study through MSDC. The physician completes the referral form and has the patient scheduled for an in-home sleep study. The patient picks up the home testing equipment, receives instructions in its use for testing that very night and then returns it to our clinic the following morning. Interpretation and recommendations are then returned to the primary care physician within 48 hours.
The primary care physician uses our sleep services and materials as much or as little as they like, or alternatively, have their patients contact our offices directly. We make our expert technicians and follow-up services available as well as sleep specialists when needed. The Community Physician Sleep Partnership is open to all physicians without the need for complex association requirements. Educational materials, questionnaires and tools are at the physician’s disposal on this site or by contacting our offices.
Access Information for Health Care Providers |
