Roles of nursing and healthcare educators in the management processes for sleep apnea and narcolepsy: Review

Abstract

Sleep apnea and narcolepsy are chronic sleep disorders with profound impacts on health, quality of life, and productivity. Sleep apnea, characterized by repeated interruptions in breathing during sleep, is associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cognitive impairment. Narcolepsy, a neurological disorder affecting sleep-wake regulation, causes excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy, and disrupted nighttime sleep. Effective management of these conditions necessitates a multidisciplinary approach where nurses and healthcare educators play pivotal roles.Nurses ensure the accurate diagnosis, treatment adherence, and management of associated conditions. They provide patient-centered care, education on lifestyle modifications, and emotional support to address the psychological burden of these disorders. Healthcare educators complement these efforts by enhancing patient and family understanding, promoting adherence to treatment regimens, and advocating for policy changes to improve access to care. This review explores the comprehensive roles of nurses and healthcare educators in managing sleep apnea and narcolepsy, emphasizing their contributions to treatment adherence, patient education, and overall care delivery. The review also highlights challenges, future directions, and the potential of innovative approaches such as telehealth and artificial intelligence to optimize care delivery.