Short-term training increases diagnostic and treatment rate for insomnia in general practice

Objective: To evaluate the effect of short-term training of general practitioners (GPs) on their diagnosis and treatment of chronic insomnia. Methods: A three-step randomized control group design was used: After baseline evaluation (T1) a group of 9 GPs under-went a training of half a day, while 7 GPs served as a control group. The diagnostic and therapeutic handling of insomnia patients was reevaluated under obligatory use of a structured diagnostic questionnaire (T2) and under optional use of it (T3). Results: From 16 general practices, 4,754 patients were included. The frequency rate of insomnia was 19.3%. The lowest diagnostic and treatment rate was found for insomnia patients without comorbidity (15% at T1). Systematic non-pharmacological treatment was not offered by the GPs. At T2 the diagnosis rate increased significantly from 37.9% (T1) to 71.5% (T2, p = 0.038). It fell back to lower levels at T3 but remained better than at T1. At T3 non-pharmacological treatments and referral to a sleep expert were advised more often. Conclusion: Short-term training of GPs can significantly improve their diagnostic sensitivity and first-line treatment efforts against insomnia.