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Therapy Session

CONSULTATION

OHIP-covered virtual consultation for individuals 13y+ with insomnia and sleep timing concerns in Ontario, Canada

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 A physician referral is required 

TRIED EVERYTHING?

CONFUSED ABOUT NEXT STEPS?

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With a consultation at the DECODE Insomnia Clinic, you'll learn about the factors contributing to your sleep issue, priority areas for intervention, initial steps, and the option of treatment with the DECODE Insomnia Program.

Image by Matt Walsh

CONSULTATION FAQ

WHAT IS CHRONIC INSOMNIA?

Chronic insomnia is a sleep disorder characterized by persistent difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing non-restorative sleep, despite having adequate opportunity for sleep. According to the DSM-V criteria, chronic insomnia involves symptoms lasting for at least three nights per week for at least three months, causing significant distress or impairment in daily functioning.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AFTER MY DOCTOR HAS MADE A REFERRAL?

You will be contacted by the clinic by email with directions to request an appointment time through the portal. If your physician has submitted a referral but you have not yet been contacted, please email decodeinsomnia@protonmail.com.

HOW CAN I PREPARE FOR THE VIRTUAL CONSULTATION?

Complete & submit the intake questionnaire at least 2 business days prior to the consultation. Ensure you have a good internet connection, access to Zoom, and a private location for the consultation FOR YOUTH (13-18): The intake questionnaire form is to be completed by the youth with or without a parent/caregiver present. Both the youth and a parent/caregiver are required at the consultation. The consultation appointment cannot be held with the parent alone. It is recommended that the youth and parent/caregiver log-on to the virtual Zoom visit on separate devices.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT DURING THE CONSULTATION?

Information about your sleep concerns is gathered in the intake questionnaire and the virtual visit with the physician. At the end of the consultation, you will receive feedback, information about treatment approaches, first steps, and resources (videos, handouts) to help you take action. FOR YOUTH (13-18): Typically, the physician will meet with the teen and parent(s)/caregiver(s) both together and separately.

WHAT IF I HAVE ANOTHER SLEEP CONCERN OTHER THAN INSOMNIA?

This clinic is not a general Sleep Medicine clinic and does not provide management of sleep disorders other than chronic insomnia and sleep timing concerns. The consultation will include a general screen for other sleep disorders such as sleep apnea, disorders of excessive sleepiness, restless leg syndrome, and parasomnias. A referral to a general Sleep Medicine clinic may be recommended after the consultation.

*WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS AFTER CONSULTATION?

Options will be discussed once the physician has assessed your sleep concern.

IS MEDICATION PRESCRIBED?

The use of medication for the treatment of chronic insomnia can be discussed at the time of consultation. In many cases, medication is not necessary or plays a limited role in the management of chronic insomnia. In the rare cases in which medication is recommended in conjunction with non-medication treatment for insomnia, they will be prescribed for short-term use only.

WHAT IF I NEED A SLEEP STUDY?

While a sleep study is not required to diagnose chronic insomnia, it may be beneficial to rule out other sleep disorders like sleep apnea. An opinion regarding the need for a sleep study will be provided during the consultation.

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