TRU's student-run clinic designed to diagnose sleep disorders is now taking twice as many patients.
Anyone interested in going to the clinic for diagnosis can do so free of charge. TRU Centre for Respiratory Health and Sleep Sciences (TRU Sleep Centre Clinic) simply requires a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner.
TRU's is the only sleep clinic in Canada run by respiratory therapy students. The increase in capacity means the clinic can now take six patients per day.
Respiratory therapy faculty member and clinic facilitator Aaron Ladd said most people living with sleep disorders are unaware they have them and they experience detrimental side effects day-to-day.
"About 10% of the population has disordered breathing, or another kind of sleeping issue. Of those people with a sleeping disorder, 80% are living undiagnosed. We are finally more capable of diagnosing people who have been suffering for a long time. We have 80 students working and making a difference in these clients' quality of life," Ladd said.
"Students run and lead the clinic. Everything from administration, maintaining patient files, to delivering the education process. They do everything. Instructors are here if they have any questions or need help with facilitation, but students handle everything else."
After obtaining a referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner, patients make an appointment. They undergo full diagnostic and respiratory assessment and are sent home with a device to record sleeping data. The information helps determine the likelihood of the patient having a sleep disorder. If evidence of a disorder is found, treatment is arranged. Through a community partnership, students accompany patients to the VitalAire facility where they observe a professional perform diagnostics, lead treatment sessions and fit the patient for a CPAP machine.
The clinic provides a free service to people from throughout the BC Interior suffering from disordered sleep while also preparing students for a career in health care.
"Working in the clinic is a valuable part of this program because without it, we wouldn't get a lot of patient interaction throughout our education. It can be hard to transition into a hospital right after graduation and this gives us the opportunity to really fine-tune our patient interaction skills before we enter the workforce," said Lexi Reichel, third year Bachelor of Health Science and Respiratory Therapy diploma.
The clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. in the Ken Lepin Science and Health Sciences Building, room S301.
Patients with a doctor or nurse practitioner referral can call 250-371-5952 for an appointment.
