Priority 5 from the Obstructive Sleep Apnea (Saskatchewan,Canada) PSP

UNCERTAINTY: How can obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) services to rural areas be improved? (JLA PSP Priority 5)
Overall ranking 5
JLA question ID 0118/5
Explanatory note Travel distances from rural areas to diagnostic and treatment services have the potential to affect the outcomes of patients with suspected or confirmed Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Family physicians and other health care providers in rural areas have an important role in educating and caring for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Increasing use of virtual health care delivery and portable testing may be helpful. New technologies such as wearable devices may also be of benefit. 
Evidence

Rosen IM, Kirsch DB, Chervin RD, Carden KA, Ramar K, Aurora RN, Kristo DA, Malhotra RK, Martin JL, Olson EJ, Rosen CL, Rowley JA; American Academy of Sleep
Medicine Board of Directors. Clinical Use of a Home Sleep Apnea Test: An American Academy of Sleep Medicine Position Statement. J Clin Sleep Med. 2017 Oct 15;13(10):1205-1207. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.6774. PMID: 28942762; PMCID:
PMC5612637. 
Health Research Classification System category Respiratory
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples How can we get more treatment options available in rural areas? ~ How to be tested in rural areas when travel is not an option? 
Submitted by Patients x 3, Family members x 3, clinicians x 2
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0118
PSP name Obstructive Sleep Apnea PSP
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 39  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 28 January 2021