Computer telephony in healthcare.

The telephone provides an easy-to-use, reliable and cheap computer interface. We review computer telephony applications for patient care, clinical research and medical education. We describe uses at our academic health sciences centre and discuss strengths and weaknesses of this technology.

Positional treatment vs continuous positive airway pressure in patients with positional obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the relative efficacy of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and positional treatment in the management of positional obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), using objective outcome measures.

Design: A prospective, randomized, single blind crossover comparison of CPAP and positional treatment for 2 weeks each.

Setting: A university teaching hospital.

Continuous positive airway pressure requirement during the first month of treatment in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea.

Objectives: (1) To compare the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) requirement at the time of diagnosis (T0), after 2 weeks (T2), and after 4 weeks (T4) of CPAP treatment, in patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); and (2) to assess whether any alteration in CPAP requirement over the first 4 weeks of CPAP treatment would influence daytime alertness, subjective sleepiness, or mood.

Design: A prospective, controlled, single-blind crossover study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.