Improve accessibility to evidence-based treatment for insomnia disorder

Transl Behav Med. 2024 Apr 29;14(5):301-303. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibae006.

Abstract

The Society of Behavioral Medicine supports increasing access to evidence-based treatment of insomnia by addressing barriers at the patient, provider, and systemic levels including support from government agencies to raise awareness about sleep and sleep disorders, health payors providing fair reimbursement for evidence-based insomnia assessment and therapy consistent with standard of care recommendations, and relevant training programs (e.g. psychologists, nurses, physicians, social workers, licensed professional counselors) to prioritize sleep health education.

Keywords: dissemination; evidence-based intervention; insomnia; sleep.

Plain language summary

The Society of Behavioral Medicine supports making treatment for insomnia more available to people who need it. This could include using several solutions that target different people who can make a difference. One solution could be public health campaigns that increase awareness of the treatment options for insomnia among patients and providers. A second solution could include encouraging training programs for behavioral health providers to focus more on learning how to offer insomnia treatment. A third solution could be advocating with insurance companies to provide higher financial support for these services from well-trained providers.

MeSH terms

  • Behavioral Medicine / methods
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders* / therapy