0562 Assessing Healthcare Provider Knowledge of Sleep Apnea: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Studies Using the OSAKA Questionnaire

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) remains an underrecognized condition. General healthcare providers (e.g., primary care providers) can play an important role in identifying patients with OSA, yet their knowledge about the condition can vary. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies administering the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Knowledge and Attitude (OSAKA) questionnaire to non–sleep specialists. Methods A comprehensive search was performed across six databases: MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Global Health, and WHO Global Index Medicus. This search identified studies that administered the OSAKA questionnaire to general healthcare providers. Data extraction and risk of bias were assessed independently by 2 reviewers. A meta-analysis of eligible studies was then performed using meta-aggregative qualitative synthesis to synthesize and report mean knowledge and attitude scores. Studies were excluded from the synthesis if they lacked a reported standard deviation for attitude scores. Results In total, 13 studies involving were including 2,427 healthcare providers were included. The most common specialty in the sample was anesthesiology (n=1,041, 42.9%), followed by primary care providers (n=543, 22.4%) and medical and dental students (n=393, 16.2%). Meta-analysis revealed the overall effect size for knowledge scores was 6.48 (95% CI: 4.47-8.50) and 9.78 (95% CI: 641-13.16). Conclusion OSA remains widely underdiagnosed and undertreated. Many general healthcare providers could play an important role in screening and promoting awareness about this disorder, yet our analysis revealed low overall knowledge scores (6.4 out of 18 possible points) and attitude/confidence scores (9.78 out of 25 possible points). These findings highlight the need for initiatives to strengthen provider awareness. Support (if any)