# Clinical insights into the management of sleep disturbances within cancer care: a qualitative analysis

## TL;DR

This study explores how cancer care professionals manage sleep problems in patients and identifies challenges and opportunities for improvement.

## Contribution

The study provides new qualitative insights into the clinical management of sleep disturbances in oncology care.

## Key findings

- Sleep disturbances are often underreported and underassessed in cancer care.
- Healthcare professionals face challenges in managing and addressing sleep issues effectively.
- There are opportunities for improving sleep management through stakeholder collaboration.

## Abstract

The present study aimed to gain a deeper understanding of how oncology healthcare professionals’ (HCPs) manage sleep disturbances.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 oncology HCPs (medical oncologists, oncology nurse practitioners, clinical nurse consultants) working in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to understand oncology HCPs’ perspectives on treating sleep disturbances, explore challenges and barriers to their management, as well as opportunities for improvement.

Four main themes were developed: (1) sleep disturbances are underreported and underassessed, (2) poor sleep can be difficult to manage, (3) limited capacity to address sleep issues, and (4) opportunities for the future.

Understanding the current clinical management practices used by oncology HCPs to manage sleep disturbances, along with their perceived opportunities to improve the management of sleep in cancer care is crucial. Efforts to implement these opportunities should focus on co-design with relevant stakeholders at all levels.

Registry: ANZCTR.org.au, TRN: ACTRN12622001035718, registration date: July 25, 2022.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00520-026-10478-4.