Comparing the Prescription Pattern in the Treatment of Acute Insomnia among Urban and Rural Physicians as per the NICE Guidelines

Background: Insomnia is one of the most disabling disorders afflicting the society, with a staggering emotional and economical impact. Most of the patients consult physicians rather than consulting the psychiatrist at the first point of contact and hence, we have planned to take up this study to know as to how many physicians treat acute insomnia as per the guidelines. Objectives: To study and compare the prescription pattern among the urban and rural physicians in treating acute insomnia as per the National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Methods: 75 physicians in the rural and 65 physicians in the urban areas were given a questionnaire and were given enough time to fill it. Later on, all the questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results: Physicians in rural areas: 65 physicians prescribed the short acting benzodiazepine group, 9 physicians prescribed the z-class of drugs and 01 physician prescribed antihistaminics. Physicians in urban areas: 45 physicians prescribed the Z-class of drugs and 20 physicians prescribed the short acting benzodiazepine group for the treatment of acute insomnia. Conclusion: The NICE guidelines state that for the treatment of acute insomnia, the drug of choice is the Z-class of drugs. In our study, most of the physicians practising in the urban areas adhered to the guidelines in treating acute insomnia more than the physicians practising in rural areas. Hence, the physicians practicing in the rural areas needed to have awareness campaigns and medical educational programs regarding the treatment of acute insomnia.