• Barry G Fields, Pratima Pathak Behari, Susan McCloskey, Gala True, Diane Richardson, Arwin Thomasson, Danijela Korom-Djakovic, Keith Davies, and Samuel T Kuna.
• Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA.
• Sleep. 2016 Mar 1; 39 (3): 501-9.

Study ObjectivesDespite significant medical sequelae of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the condition remains undiagnosed and untreated in many affected individuals. We explored the feasibility of a comprehensive, telemedicine-based OSA management pathway in a community-based Veteran cohort.MethodsThis prospective, parallel-group randomized pilot study assessed feasibility of a telemedicine-based pathway for OSA evaluation and management in comparison to a more traditional, in-person care model. The study included 60 Veterans at the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center and two affiliated community-based outpatient clinics. Telemedicine pathway feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes were assessed through a variety of quantitative (Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire, dropout rates, positive airway pressure [PAP] adherence rates, participant satisfaction ratings) and qualitative (verbal feedback) metrics.ResultsThere was no significant difference in functional outcome changes, patient satisfaction, dropout rates, or objectively measured PAP adherence between groups after 3 months of treatment. Telemedicine participants showed greater improvement in mental health scores, and their feedback was overwhelmingly positive.ConclusionsOur pilot study suggests that telemedicine-based management of OSA patients is feasible in terms of patient functional outcomes and overall satisfaction with care. Future studies should include larger populations to further elucidate these findings while assessing provider- and patient-related cost effectiveness.© 2016 Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC.

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