
IFM | From Hypertension to Hypopneas: Bringing Obstructive Sleep Apnea Management into Primary Care Practice
In this special episode of the Inside Family Medicine podcast, brought to you by Resmed, host Darren Sextro talks with family physician James Bigham, MD, MPH, FAAFP about how he has successfully integrated sleep health and OSA management into his practice. He discusses the well-established connection between OSA and hypertension and explains how screening and treatment can become a natural part of chronic disease management. The conversation highlights the barriers he's faced in practice, from uncertainty around role ownership to patient hesitation, and the practical solutions he's implemented to make sleep and OSA care more feasible in primary care settings. The discussion covers the importance of early diagnosis and therapy referrals as well as outlines effective workflow strategies for primary care teams. Topics by Timestamp 00:00 – Welcome and episode overview 02:14 – Dr. Bigham's path to family medicine 03:15 – How OSA became part of primary care 05:59 – Early barriers to OSA management 09:37 – Barriers colleagues face in primary care 12:07 – Practical ways to integrate obstructive sleep apnea care 14:07 – Improving patient engagement in evaluation and treatment 17:38 – Working with sleep medicine and cardiology 20:16 – Impact on patients and practice 25:56 – First steps for family physicians and care teams 29:00 – Closing and resources Additional resources for your team include: OSA in primary care: a practical clinical guide from Resmed Explore practical tools and guidance to help primary care teams identify patients at risk for OSA, support evaluation and navigate treatment conversations. Resources from the American Academy of Family Physicians: Cardiometabolic health for family physicians | AAFP Find clinical guidance, educational resources and patient-centered tools for managing hypertension, diabetes, obesity, chronic kidney disease and related conditions. This episode is brought to you by Resmed. Disclaimer: Copyright 2026. AAFP. The views presented in this broadcast are the speaker's own and do not represent those of AAFP. The information presented is for general, educational, or entertainment purposes and should not be considered legal, health, financial, or other advice. AAFP makes no representation as to the accuracy or completeness of the information and is not responsible for results that may arise from its use. Consult an appropriate professional concerning your specific situation and respective governing bodies for applicable laws. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by AAFP unless specifically stated otherwise. AAFP and the AAFP logo are registered trademarks of American Academy of Family Physicians.













