Truckers Drive Their Own Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Collaborative Approach to Online Self-Assessment for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Difference between revisions

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A significant weakness of this study the fact that the respondents to the survey were self-selected, and thus were almost certainly at higher risk for OSA than the general commercial driver population. These results may not be generalizable to the over commercial driver population, although they may be generalizable to the overweight/obese group of drivers. In addition, because of the need for simplicity and brevity, we did not collect demographic data from survey participants. Further, because of our IRB requirements for anonymity, it is impossible to verify if the individuals who completed the survey were actually commercial vehicle drivers, or to be absolutely certain that each respondent only completed the survey once.
A significant weakness of this study the fact that the respondents to the survey were self-selected, and thus were almost certainly at higher risk for OSA than the general commercial driver population. These results may not be generalizable to the over commercial driver population, although they may be generalizable to the overweight/obese group of drivers. In addition, because of the need for simplicity and brevity, we did not collect demographic data from survey participants. Further, because of our IRB requirements for anonymity, it is impossible to verify if the individuals who completed the survey were actually commercial vehicle drivers, or to be absolutely certain that each respondent only completed the survey once.


In an interesting study of clinicians who likely have hands-on experience with screening for OSA in commercial drivers, Durand and Kales18 surveyed American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) members regarding recent consensus guidelines for 0 screening commercial drivers for OSA.2 Fewer than half of these clinicians used consensus guidelines or another specific protocol to screen for OSA, citing as explanations that they were unaware of guidelines (36%), that such guidelines were too complicated (12%), that it would affect client retention (10%) or cause inconvenience to drivers (10%). Thus, many commercial driver medical examiners may avoid rigorous screening for OSA because it is complicated or may adversely affect drivers or their practice. In addition, drivers themselves who are suspected of having OSA by their medical examiner and who are referred for screening frequently fail to follow-up with sleep testing or with the examiner who recommended it. 14 So, despite the fact the untreated sleep apnea increases crash risk and has a high prevalence in commercial drivers, many medical examiners are not screening for it, and drivers are denying symptoms on their certifying examinations. As noted by the FMCSA’s Medical Expert Panel, cost, complexity, and delay probably contribute an inability to diagnose and expediently treat commercial drivers. Sleep health professionals need expedient, non-punitive tools to keep commercial motor vehicle drivers healthy and driving.
In an interesting study of clinicians who likely have hands-on experience with screening for OSA in commercial drivers, Durand and Kales<sup>[18]</sup> surveyed American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) members regarding recent consensus guidelines for 0 screening commercial drivers for OSA.2 Fewer than half of these clinicians used consensus guidelines or another specific protocol to screen for OSA, citing as explanations that they were unaware of guidelines (36%), that such guidelines were too complicated (12%), that it would affect client retention (10%) or cause inconvenience to drivers (10%). Thus, many commercial driver medical examiners may avoid rigorous screening for OSA because it is complicated or may adversely affect drivers or their practice. In addition, drivers themselves who are suspected of having OSA by their medical examiner and who are referred for screening frequently fail to follow-up with sleep testing or with the examiner who recommended it<sup>[14]</sup>. So, despite the fact the untreated sleep apnea increases crash risk and has a high prevalence in commercial drivers, many medical examiners are not screening for it, and drivers are denying symptoms on their certifying examinations. As noted by the FMCSA’s Medical Expert Panel, cost, complexity, and delay probably contribute an inability to diagnose and expediently treat commercial drivers. Sleep health professionals need expedient, non-punitive tools to keep commercial motor vehicle drivers healthy and driving.


== References ==
== References ==
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