INTRODUCTION:Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a highly prevalent respiratory sleep disturbance that impairs health-related quality of life and increases the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities. 

METHODS:We developed a hybrid healthcare pathway utilizing virtual processes and telemedicine tools to minimize undiagnosed and untreated OSA, while enhancing the sustainability of the public health system. Patients diagnosed with OSA and prescribed with positive airway pressure (PAP) were included in the virtual pathway for telemonitoring and telemedicine. We present the results of this real-world study based on our data, collected during a 3-month period.

RESULTS:Among patients suspected of having a sleep breathing disorder, 53% were diagnosed with OSA and 69% of these were started on PAP (39% mild, 12% moderate, 49% severe). We compared this sample with a randomly selected sample of patients with a Pulmonology first appointment during the same period, using the same inclusion criteria (OSA diagnosis with PAP initiation), but followed in the traditional healthcare pathway. The time to reach OSA diagnosis, start PAP and discharge (p 0,0001) was significantly shorter in the hybrid group, also requiring less medical face-to-face appointments (p 0,00048).

CONCLUSION:Our study demonstrates the clinical significance of utilizing this hybrid healthcare pathway in OSA management. By shortening the time to diagnosis, treatment and patient discharge we improved patient outcomes and by lessening the number of medical face-to-face appointments, we improved the sustainability of the public health system, without increasing human resources.