Embedding digital sleep health into primary care practice: A triangulation of perspectives from general practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists

Abstract

IntroductionWhile digital health interventions (DHIs) can potentially address the unmet needs for sleep health services, little is known about their implementation in practice. The current study aimed to explore primary care health providers’ attitudes and beliefs towards DHIs for sleep and implementation into practice.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was administered to Australian primary care health professionals: general practitioners (GPs), community nurses, and community pharmacists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted within a sub-sample of participants exploring their experiences with DHIs and perceived barriers/facilitators for embedding DHIs into primary care. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed using the framework approach to contextualise survey findings.ResultsNinety-six surveys were returned (GPs  =  36, nurses = 30, and pharmacists = 30) and 45 interviews conducted (GPs  =  17, nurses = 14, and pharmacists  =  14). From the survey, GPs were more likely to endorse familiarity ( p  =  0.009) and use ( p < 0.001) of sleep DHIs in clinical practice than pharmacists and nurses. GPs were more interested in utilising the diagnostic features within a sleep DHI ( p  =  0.009) compared to other professionals. Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed three major themes, contextualised by profession: (1) Scope for DHIs in Current Practice, (2) Practice Gaps and Training Needs, and (3) Envisioning a Model of Care Using Sleep DHIs. While DHIs can potentially improve care, greater clarity of care pathways and reimbursement structures are needed for integration into practice.ConclusionPrimary care health professionals highlighted the training, care pathway and financial models required to realise the potential for translating findings from efficacy studies for DHIs into primary care to optimise sleep health.