P102 Accessing healthcare for sleep problems during the COVID-19 pandemic

As part of a study to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sleep of patients of a multidisciplinary sleep clinic, we surveyed how they accessed healthcare for sleep problems. Methods Patients were invited to complete an online survey in October 2020. Results 74 patients completed the survey (mean age 50.2 years, range 21–83 years, 56.8% female). 26/74 (35%) reported at least one delay in accessing healthcare for sleep problems. In particular, 7/49 (14.3%) had delays seeing a general practitioner whilst 16/43 (37.2%) experienced delays accessing a sleep physician. 7/26 (26.9%) reported delays booking a sleep study and 4/15 (26.7%) had delays hiring continuous positive airway pressure equipment. 11/31 (35.5%) experienced delays seeing a psychologist for sleep problems. 11/74 (14.9%) preferred to wait until they were able to attend the clinic in person. 21/74 (28.4%) had telehealth consultations with a sleep physician and/or psychologist. 19/21 (90.5%) described it easy to participate and 20/21 (95.2%) reported receiving satisfactory care through telehealth consultation. Only 5/21 (23.8%) preferred to attend in-person instead of participating in a telehealth consultation again. 11/74 (14.9%) had telephone consultations with a sleep physician and/or psychologist. 8/11 (72.7%) found it easy to participate and 8/11 (72.7%) reported receiving satisfactory care through telephone consultation. Only 3/11 (27.3%) preferred to attend in-person instead of participating in a telephone consultation again. Discussion During the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% of patients reported delays accessing healthcare for sleep problems. Most patients who participated in telehealth and telephone consultations described positive experiences.