Doctors Encourage Patients to Self-Screen for Sleep Issues

Sleep diaries and online tools can help identify sleep disorders early on.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Sleep disorders are often underdiagnosed and undertreated, with many patients not mentioning sleep issues to their doctors. Experts recommend that primary care providers encourage patients to self-screen for sleep problems using tools like sleep diaries and online questionnaires. This can help identify issues like sleep apnea, insomnia, and circadian rhythm disorders early on, allowing for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why it matters

Undiagnosed and untreated sleep disorders can have serious health consequences, including increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and other conditions. By empowering patients to monitor their own sleep, doctors can help catch these issues sooner and get patients the care they need.

The details

Experts say that over 50% of primary care patients have some kind of sleep disorder, but many are hesitant to bring it up with their doctors. Reasons include minimizing the problem, not having a way to self-assess, or being worried about a potential sleep apnea diagnosis. To address this, doctors can encourage patients to keep sleep diaries to track bedtime, wake time, sleep quality, and other factors. Patients can also use online screening tools to get a preliminary assessment. While these self-assessments don't replace a formal diagnosis from a sleep specialist, they can provide valuable information to bring to a doctor's appointment.

  • Healthy People 2030, a US government initiative, has set a goal to increase the proportion of adults with sleep apnea symptoms who get assessed by a healthcare provider.

The players

Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, MD

Medical director of sleep medicine at Millennium Physician Group in Fort Myers, Florida.

Michael Perlis, PhD

Associate professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, and director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Joseph R. Teel, MD

Professor of clinical family medicine and community health at the Perelman School of Medicine, and chief of regional primary care at the Penn Medicine Medical Group in Philadelphia.

Anita V. Shelgikar, MD

Sleep medicine specialist and clinical professor of neurology at the University of Michigan School of Medicine in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and spokesperson for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.

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What they’re saying

“It is well known that obesity increases the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure, but obesity can also lead to structural changes in the body that make breathing more difficult and therefore contribute to sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea.”

— Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg, MD, Medical director of sleep medicine at Millennium Physician Group (medscape.com)

“For decades it has been argued that primary care is the single best place to screen for, if not diagnose and treat, sleep disorders. Part of this is due to the ubiquity of sleep disorders in primary care.”

— Michael Perlis, PhD, Associate professor of psychology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania (medscape.com)

“I believe the real deficit is in case identification when people don't mention anything. Most people are not being screened.”

— Joseph R. Teel, MD, Professor of clinical family medicine and community health, Perelman School of Medicine (medscape.com)

“By creating an open dialogue, PCPs open the door for patients to understand sleep as a vital aspect of their physical and mental health and that concerns can be addressed by a medical provider.”

— Anita V. Shelgikar, MD, Sleep medicine specialist and clinical professor of neurology, University of Michigan School of Medicine (medscape.com)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.