Sleep-related disorders are common in primary care practice and incorporating sleep tracker data may help in improving patient care.

Our pilot study assessed the feasibility of using a Fitbit Charge 2 device and SleepLife application to improve communication in primary care settings between patients and their providers.

This prospective, randomized, parallel group pilot study was conducted in 20 primary care clinics, amongst primary care providers and their patients with insomnia diagnoses, on prescription sleep aid medications.

Only one physician logged into the SleepLife portal. The lack of physician engagement was a significant limitation of the study.

At the end of the 6-week intervention, patients’ composite general satisfaction scores with sleep health management decreased significantly in the intervention arm when compared to controls. Their satisfaction with communication also decreased significantly.

Physician engagement can be improved by integrating sleep software into the electronic medical record (EMR), providing specific therapy/management suggestions based on sleep disturbances patients may discuss with their physicians about and by providing physicians extra education opportunities regarding sleep.

A study in the future utilizing the learning points and improving on the limitations from this pilot can lead to a big step in improving sleep communication between primary care physicians and their patients and integrating health technology into primary care for all age groups.