REPOSE Navigation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

This trial explores how a program called REPOSE can assist families in navigating the healthcare system to improve care for children with Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB). The goal is to determine if a patient navigator can reduce obstacles and enhance the healthcare experience, particularly for families from diverse socioeconomic and rural or urban backgrounds. The trial compares usual care with the REPOSE intervention, which provides additional support and resources to families. This may suit parents or caregivers of children aged 2 to 11 who have been referred for SDB evaluation and have not yet consulted a specialist. Participants must have a working phone and be willing to engage in the study for a year. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to research that could improve healthcare navigation for families.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research shows that the REPOSE program aids children with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) by guiding families through the healthcare process. A patient navigator collaborates with families to identify and overcome obstacles that might delay diagnosis and treatment.

The REPOSE program focuses on support and care coordination rather than medical procedures or drugs, so it lacks typical "safety" concerns associated with medications or surgeries. The program aims to improve access to care and ensure children receive necessary treatments, emphasizing effectiveness over safety issues. Since it is not a drug or surgery, the program itself has no specific side effects.

Researchers are excited about the REPOSE intervention for obstructive sleep apnea because it tackles the issue from a fresh angle. Unlike standard treatments like CPAP machines or surgery, which focus directly on managing symptoms, REPOSE is a patient navigation strategy designed to overcome obstacles to getting a timely diagnosis and treatment. By addressing these barriers, REPOSE aims to streamline the process and ensure more patients receive the care they need more quickly. This approach could improve overall treatment accessibility and effectiveness, which is why it's generating interest.

Research has shown that overcoming barriers to healthcare can greatly improve health for children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This trial tests the REPOSE program, a theory-based patient navigation intervention designed to address multilevel barriers to the timely diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing. By removing obstacles and offering social support, REPOSE ensures children receive proven treatments. Strong evidence indicates that timely and well-organized care can better manage symptoms. This support may help more children benefit from treatments that lessen the severity of OSA.¹²⁴⁶⁷