Sleep-disordered Breathing: A Survey of Otolaryngologic Practice at Military Hospitals

Abstract

We conducted a survey of otolaryngologists at all Veterans Administration and Department of Defense hospitals in the United States to ascertain the nature and scope of their treatment of sleep-disordered breathing. Questionnaire responses indicated that head and neck surgeons in military hospitals have a strong interest in the management of patients with snoring and sleep apnea. Because of the difficulty in obtaining timely sleep test results and the low number of referrals from physicians who perform such testing, many otolaryngologists expressed a desire to be able to perform their own sleep testing.