P053 Management of insomnia by Australian psychologists

INTRODUCTION: Insomnia is the most common sleep disorder, 10–30% of adults have regular difficulties falling and/or staying asleep that cause significant daytime impairments. General Practitioner (GP) clinical guidelines recommend Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for insomnia (CBTi) as the first-line treatment rather than medications. However, most GPs do not have the time or training to administer CBTi, and consequently, many patients are prescribed sedative-hypnotic medicines. Psychologists have training in CBT and may be well placed to deliver behavioural therapy for insomnia. However, the amount of sleep-specific training, and knowledge of CBTi among Australian psychologists remains unknown. Identifying key barriers and enablers in the management of insomnia within psychology provides a first step in engaging with psychologists about the delivery of evidence-based insomnia treatment. METHODS: This qualitative study used a pragmatic inductive approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 Australian psychologists. Interviews included case study scenarios to provide an in-depth exploration of psychologists’ knowledge and skills in the management of insomnia, and attitudes towards further training in CBTi. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis to identify themes. RESULTS: Preliminary themes identified in the data include; psychologists believe sleep is important for general well-being, insomnia is usually seen as secondary to other co-morbid disorders such as depression and anxiety that are the focus of treatment, most psychologists surveyed lack training and knowledge in CBTi. DISCUSSION: Most Australian psychologists are not well prepared to manage insomnia effectively with CBTi. Along with other primary health care professionals, psychologists need training in the management of insomnia.