Does your bed partner constantly nudge you at night to stop snoring? Have you ever wondered if you have sleep apnea, but taking a trip to the doctor is out of the way? Telemedicine is as effective for sleep apnea care as visiting your doctor’s office, a new study suggests.
The study involved 60 patients from outpatient centers who were at least 30 miles from the main medical center. Patients were chosen at random for a telemedicine or in office treatment plan.
The results show there were no significant differences in dropout rates, positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy adherence, or functional outcome changes between patients in each group of the study. Patients in the telemedicine group also expressed high satisfaction with their care. They especially liked the convenience of a live, video visit with a sleep doctor.
Seek a doctor’s advice if you have an ongoing sleep problem or are unable to sleep 7 hours or more per night. Make your choice convenient by using telemedicine.
