Clinical management
Promoting CBT-I for insomnia
Cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is underutilised in general practice.
An Australian qualitative study explored factors influencing participants’ intention to engage with psychological interventions (PIs) for insomnia. 20 adults participated in an interview.
Family/ friends positively supported engagement with PIs for insomnia. Hesitance by GPs to prescribe medication prompted some to explore PIs as an alternative. Some perceived GPs to lack confidence and/ or knowledge in PIs for insomnia to actively promote them.
WiseGP Approach
Reflect on how well you explain different psychological interventions- do your patients understand how therapies go beyond the support a relative or trusted friend might offer?
Read about what CBT-I involves, so you are able to explain more about this approach to support engagement. Here’s a useful link: https://www.sleepfoundation.org/insomnia/treatment/cognitive-behavioral-therapy-insomnia
Read about the research informing this GEM here: https://bjgp.org/content/74/745/e560
