Exploring clinicians' comfort with the inclusion of sleep apnoea patients' designated partners in clinic.

Abstract

Recent evidence indicates that CPAP‐users manage better with treatment for sleep apnoea when a close family member, typically the bed‐partner, is involved in the process, including clinic appointments. The inclusion of patients’ partners during clinic is dependent upon the acceptability of partner involvement to clinicians. Therefore, we aimed to understand clinician views, beliefs and perceptions of current practices surrounding partner presence in clinic to inform future interventions that include patients’ partners in clinic. Using a descriptive cross‐sectional design, we generated data via the mixed methods of survey (n = 28) and qualitative semi‐structured interviews (n = 5). We recruited participants from a national clinical respiratory sleep community (n = 80 est.) that included nurses, physiologists and physicians. Overall, our data support clinicians’ willingness to have partners present in the clinic room. Synthesis of survey and interview data identified that clinicians acknowledge the worth of partner presence in sleep clinic and factors that create the space for partners in clinic. Factors that limit partner presence in clinic included an ad‐hoc approach to partner inclusion rather than an active intent to include the partner, lack of confidence to speak in front of family, clinic time constraints for clinicians and time related or logistical constraints for family members. Clinicians are largely supportive of partner presence in clinic and professional role did not influence responses about personal beliefs. However, work is needed to build confidence with dyad‐focussed consultation, and with logistical solutions to clinic timing. Understanding limiting factors to partner presence will foster a more collaborative role for the partner and better outcomes for CPAP‐users.