Impact of Real-World Implementation of Evidence-Based Insomnia Treatment within a Large Payor-Provider Health System: Initial Provider and Patient-Level Outcomes

Abstract

Insomnia has substantial and wide-ranging negative effects on clinical and functional outcomes and on health care expenditures, yet few individuals receive gold-standard insomnia treatment. The current article examines provider and patient outcomes associated with real-world implementation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), as part of a pilot initiative designed to establish initial capability for evidence-based insomnia treatment within one of the largest payor-provider systems in the United States. Provider training outcomes were assessed using the CBT-I Competency Rating Scale and self-report measures. Patient outcomes were assessed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9. All clinicians (N = 11) achieved competency in CBT-I and reported large increases in knowledge and confidence related to insomnia and insomnia treatment. Clinicians also reported high intention to deliver CBT-I and significant improvements in overall job satisfaction following competency-based CBT-I training. Among all patients who initiated CBT-I (N = 48), mixed effects modeling demonstrated significant reduction in average ISI scores (12.57 to 5.88, SEs = 1.08-1.14). More than two-thirds of patients (68.8%) completed treatment. Among completers of this brief treatment, mean insomnia severity improvement was 71% (Hedges g = 1.56). Findings provide support for the feasibility and effectiveness of real-world CBT-I implementation, extending past findings to a private, payor-provider context. Patient and provider-level outcomes suggest the significant opportunity private systems may have in increasing the availability of gold-standard treatment for insomnia.