Lesson 1Sleep partner report and bed-partner questionnaire use: witness reports, bed partner sleep diaries, STOP-Bang components collected from partnerExplains how to include sleep partner observations, covering snoring, breathing pauses, movements, noises, and sleepwalking issues. Reviews use of partner questionnaires, sleep diaries, and STOP-Bang items gathered from the bed partner.
Eliciting detailed partner observationsPartner reports of snoring and apneasNocturnal movements and parasomnia signsBed-partner sleep diaries and logsSTOP-Bang items from partner historyLesson 2Screening for other sleep disorders: RLS/PLMD screening, insomnia disorder questions, circadian rhythm disorder screening, REM behavior screeningOffers a structured method to screen for restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, insomnia, circadian rhythm issues, and REM sleep behaviour disorder, using key diagnostic questions to direct further tests or referrals.
Key questions for restless legs syndromeClues to periodic limb movement disorderCore insomnia disorder interview itemsCircadian rhythm disorder screening pointsREM sleep behavior disorder red flagsLesson 3Focused symptom history: snoring, witnessed apneas, nocturnal choking, nocturia, morning headaches, non-restorative sleepDetails how to gather a precise night-time symptom history, including snoring, seen breathing pauses, choking, frequent night urination, gasping, and morning headaches, to separate obstructive sleep apnoea from other causes of unrestful or broken sleep.
Characterizing snoring pattern and severityWitnessed apneas and gasping descriptionsNocturnal choking, reflux, and positional factorsNocturia, sweating, and other autonomic signsMorning headaches and non-restorative sleepSymptom timelines and aggravating factorsLesson 4Comorbidities and medications: cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, pain, nasal disease, antihypertensives, sedatives, alcohol and stimulant useFocuses on spotting medical, mental health, and medicine factors contributing to sleep issues, including heart and lung diseases, pain, nose problems, mind-affecting drugs, sedatives, alcohol, stimulants, and multiple medicine interactions.
Cardiometabolic and respiratory comorbiditiesPsychiatric disorders affecting sleepChronic pain and nasal or airway diseaseSedatives, opioids, and psychotropic agentsAlcohol, caffeine, and stimulant use patternsPolypharmacy and drug interaction reviewLesson 5Substance, lifestyle, and sleep hygiene assessment: alcohol timing/quantity, caffeine, smoking, exercise, weight historyOutlines checking alcohol, caffeine, tobacco, exercise, diet, and evening habits affecting sleep. Stresses timing, amount, long-term patterns, weight background, and turning findings into custom sleep hygiene advice.
Alcohol timing, dose, and nightcap effectsCaffeine sources, timing, and sensitivityNicotine, vaping, and other substancesExercise timing and light exposure habitsWeight history and recent weight changeTargeted sleep hygiene counseling pointsLesson 6Sleep timing and architecture: bedtime, wake time, sleep latency, awakenings, naps, shift work, variabilityReviews mapping sleep timing, regularity, and continuity, including bedtime, wake time, time to fall asleep, night wakings, daytime naps, and shift work. Stresses spotting body clock mismatch, social jet lag, and habits causing insomnia.
Bedtime, wake time, and time in bedSleep latency and nocturnal awakeningsNapping habits and unintended dozingShift work, jet lag, and social jet lagWeekday–weekend variability patternsUsing sleep diaries to clarify patternsLesson 7Red flags and safety assessment: unexplained weight loss, neurological signs, excessive daytime sleepiness with high accident risk, nocturnal seizures, psychiatric crisisCovers urgent sleep-related warning signs needing quick action, including safety risks from severe daytime drowsiness, possible brain disease, fits at night, major weight loss, and mental health crisis, plus sorting, recording, and referral paths.
Identifying medical and neurological red flagsAssessing excessive sleepiness and accident riskScreening for nocturnal seizures and parasomniasRecognizing psychiatric crisis and suicidalityImmediate safety planning and urgent referralsLesson 8Daytime symptoms and function: Epworth Sleepiness Scale scoring, concentration, mood, occupational safety risksExplores structured checking of daytime sleepiness, tiredness, thinking, mood, and safety. Includes Epworth Sleepiness Scale use, effects on job, driving, relationships, and separating sleepiness from low energy or depression.
Using and interpreting the Epworth ScaleDifferentiating sleepiness from fatigueCognitive and mood impacts of poor sleepOccupational and driving safety assessmentEffects on relationships and quality of life
