Meaklim, Hailey ORCID: 0000-0003-0448-3567, Meltzer, Lisa J ORCID: 0000-0002-2901-0996, Rehm, Imogen ORCID: 0000-0002-0053-2272, Junge, Moira, Monfries, Melissa, Kennedy, Gerard, Bucks, Romola S ORCID: 0000-0002-4207-4724, Graco, Marnie ORCID: 0000-0001-6048-0147 and Jackson, Melinda L ORCID: 0000-0003-4976-8101 (2023) Disseminating sleep education to graduate psychology programs online: a knowledge translation study to improve the management of insomnia. SLEEP. ISSN 0161-8105

Abstract

Study Objectives Despite the negative impact of poor sleep on mental health, evidence-based insomnia management guidelines have not been translated into routine mental healthcare. Here, we evaluate a state-wide knowledge translation effort to disseminate sleep and insomnia education to graduate psychology programs online using the RE-AIM (reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance) evaluation framework. Methods Using a non-randomized waitlist control design, graduate psychology students attended a validated 6-hour online sleep education workshop delivered live as part of their graduate psychology program in Victoria, Australia. Sleep knowledge, attitudes, and practice assessments were conducted pre- and post-program, with long-term feedback collected at 12 months. Results Seven out of ten graduate psychology programs adopted the workshop (adoption rate = 70%). The workshop reached 313 graduate students, with a research participation rate of 81%. The workshop was effective at improving students’ sleep knowledge and self-efficacy to manage sleep disturbances using cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I), compared to the waitlist control with medium-to-large effect sizes (all p < .001). Implementation feedback was positive, with 96% of students rating the workshop as very good-to-excellent. Twelve-month maintenance data demonstrated that 83% of students had used the sleep knowledge/skills learned in the workshop in their clinical practice. However, more practical training is required to achieve CBT-I competency. Conclusions Online sleep education workshops can be scaled to deliver cost-effective foundational sleep training to graduate psychology students. This workshop will accelerate the translation of insomnia management guidelines into psychology practice to improve sleep and mental health outcomes nationwide.

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