Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnoea are the two most common sleep disorders managed by general practitioners in Australia, affecting more than 4 million Australians and costing over $66 billion annually.
However, GPs report limited access to tools, knowledge, referral options and resources to effectively manage these sleep disorders.
Our primary objective is to deploy simplified, cost-effective technologies, guidelines, and systems that aid in the diagnosis and management of sleep problems.
This encompasses establishing stronger connections and support between primary care practitioners and specialist sleep services, adopting a "hub and spoke" model of health service delivery to improve access to care.
This work is also supported by our consumer advisory group. To learn more about our Consumer Advisory and the work we do, see our Annual Review.
This research also aligns with our Sleep Health Treatment Clinic.
Our unique clinic is home to clinician researchers (sleep and respiratory medicine physicians, and sleep psychologists), who are passionate about improving insomnia and OSA management in the community. We have expertise and current research programs to support individualised sleep disorder management across many groups, including:
- Shift workers, particularly emergency services and healthcare personnel;
- Insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep disorders in individuals living with chronic and/or complex health conditions; and
- Comorbid insomnia, circadian rhythms sleep disorders, and sleep apnoea (COMISA).
We welcome new inquiries from general practitioners, patients, and occupational settings about ways we can collaborate to support sleep disorder management. Learn more
Current research projects include:
The large multicentred MOSIP trial (Management of Obstructive Sleep apnea and Insomnia in Primary care) has been established in response to significant pressure on the Australian health care system. This is an implementation and logistical trial using proven treatment techniques and builds on the previous research of the group through the National Centre for Sleep Health Services Research.
GROUP MEMBERS
Professor Robert Adams
Research theme Co-lead
Professor Robert Adams, MBBS, FRACP, FRCP, MD is a specialist respiratory and general physician with extensive experience in public health, clinical epidemiology and health services research. He completed post-doctoral training at the Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School and is Professor of Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Flinders University.
Associate Professor Ching Li Chai-Coetzer
Research theme Co-lead
Associate Professor Chai-Coetzer is a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Flinders University and a Respiratory and Sleep Physician who is Clinical Lead of the Sleep Health Service, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. Her principal research interests are in sleep medicine clinical trials with a focus on primary care-based, health service delivery models for OSA, limited-channel sleep study testing, and optimising treatment adherence for OSA patients.
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South Australia 5042
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