Assessment of Insomnia Among Emergency Department Physicians in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia, 2023

Background Sleep is essential for physical and mental health, and insomnia is the most common sleep disorder. Insomnia is associated with multiple health issues that may affect physicians' health and their decision-making, and subsequently affect patients in the emergency department (ED). This study aimed to assess insomnia and its associated factors among ED physicians in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated online questionnaire to collect data from the target population. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics, the nature of the job, shift characteristics, and the Insomnia Severity Index tool. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS, version 29.0), and the Chi-square test was used for bivariate analysis. Results The study involved 106 ED physicians, primarily from Saudi Arabia, who worked in government hospitals and were mostly aged from 20 to 29 years old. Of the participants, 35.8% had moderate to severe clinical insomnia, with younger physicians experiencing more severe insomnia than their older colleagues. This highlights the potential role of age in the development of insomnia. No significant associations were found between insomnia severity and other demographic or work-related factors. Conclusion This study found a high prevalence of insomnia among ED physicians in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the need for further research and interventions to address this issue. Improving the sleep quality of ED physicians is crucial for their health and well-being, as well as for the safety and quality of care provided to their patients.