Results of TAS Poll #4: Effects of Friends and Family on Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Treatment

Survey Comments:

Talk About Sleep has long been known for its patient support services which include providing information to all who write or phone us seeking help. Would it surprise you to know that many requests come from the spouses, family members or friends of the sleep disorder patient? A sleepy person may not have the energy or stamina to recognize a sleep problem and seek an evaluation, diagnosis and ultimately treatment. We do not want to overlook the needs of those who take the roll of advocate or caregiver.

This poll will help us in development of providing support for family and friends of sleep disorder patients.

1) Who took the initiative to find out about your sleepy condition before your diagnosis?
Total Responses	100%
Myself	63.89%
Bed partner	19.44%
Family member	11.11%
Friend	5.56%
2) After a sleep disorder was suspected, who prompted you to seek evaluation and diagnosis?
Total Responses	100%
Myself	63.46%
Bed partner	21.15%
Family member	11.54%
Friend	3.85%
3) Who supported you through the CPAP adjustment period? (Check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Bed partner	25.91%
Family member	16.82%
Friend	10.45%
My equipment provider	8.18%
My sleep physician	17.27%
Online chat rooms	2.27%
Online message boards	9.09%
No one	10.00%
4) My support network has told me they noticed positive improvement in my: (Check all that apply)
Total Responses	100%
Memory	7.81%
Mood	14.41%
Productivity	9.31%
Concentration	9.91%
Alertness	15.92%
Attention span	7.51%
Energy	14.71%
Weight	6.31%
Depression	5.11%
Overall health	9.01%
5) We would like to know which members of your support network were most helpful to you. Please rate how significant each of the following were in your diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea. Bed partner
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 63	70.79%
Important - 9	10.11%
Neutral - 14	15.73%
Less important - 3	3.37%
Not important - 3	3.37%
6) Family member
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 28	35.00%
Important - 27	33.75%
Neutral - 21	26.25%
Less important - 4	5.00%
Not important - 4	5.00%
7) Friend
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 22	28.21%
Important - 29	37.18%
Neutral - 25	32.05%
Less important - 2	2.56%
Not important - 2	2.56%
8) My equipment provider
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 26	32.50%
Important - 19	23.75%
Neutral - 27	33.75%
Less important - 8	10.00%
Not important - 8	10.00%
9) My sleep physician
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 46	49.46%
Important - 26	27.96%
Neutral - 18	19.35%
Less important - 3	3.23%
Not important - 3	3.23%
10) Online chat rooms
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 12	21.05%
Important - 12	21.05%
Neutral - 21	36.84%
Less important - 12	21.05%
Not important - 12	21.05%
11) Online message boards
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 20	29.41%
Important - 19	27.94%
Neutral - 22	32.35%
Less important - 7	10.29%
Not important - 7	10.29%
12) Sleep apnea information web sites
Total Responses	100%
Very important - 38	43.68%
Important - 38	43.68%
Neutral - 9	10.34%
Less important - 2	2.30%
Not important - 2	2.30%

Also, If you haven't registered to become a member of Talk About Sleep, please do so!