Barriers and Facilitators to Participation and Key Components of Sleep Health Programs

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to explore the barriers and facilitators of participation and key components for sleep health programs designed for corporate work environments. Methods Semistructured interviews with corporate executives and occupational medicine specialists in the decision making and management of workplace health promotion programs (WHPP) within their companies were held before and during COVID-19. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using thematic content analysis to identify themes. Results Barrier and facilitator themes emerging from the data include sleep health awareness, work culture, work-family balance, and confidentiality. Key components for sleep health programs included the following: identifying the need for a program, incorporating sleep health risk screening to WHPP, and promoting sleep health by raising awareness thereof. Conclusions The identified barriers and facilitators to employee participation and key components of an ideal sleep health program provide guidance for further WHPP.