Robert Dawkins- Tolerate CPAP book?

[Janknitz]

I wonder what more you are going to get from this book,
that you aren't going to get here.

Anybody have a spare $14.95 lying around to find out? Not me.

[Kotengu]

He wrote a book and he can't even SPELL?
Forgive me for being old-fashioned; but hey!

Haha, I know! That was a pretty big spelling mistake too. Or should I say, "spelling mistake to?"

[roster]

Here is his bio from the website.

Robert Dawkins, PhD, MPH, received his PhD from the University of South
Alabama College of Medicine, and his MPH from the University of Alabama
at Birmingham School of Public Health. He also holds degrees from Emory
University (chemistry) and the University of West Florida (biology). He is
certified by the American Board of Sleep Medicine.

He has been responsible for the clinical management of American Academy
of Sleep Medicine (AASM) accredited sleep disorders centers since 1987.
He is currently the Clinical Director of the accredited sleep center at the
West Florida Hospital in Pensacola. For ten years he was a site visitor for
the AASM accreditation program and for five of those years he also served
on the Accreditation Committee, which oversees the accreditation program
and recommends standards to the AASM Board of Directors.

He has trained nine physicians for the sleep medicine board exam and has
assisted four others with their preparation.

Table of contents: http://www.sleepingwithcpap.com/files/D ... ntents.pdf

Marketing to newbies via PMs seems a little bit cheesy for someone with so many degrees, but to each his own. I trust most people registering here to make their own decision about buying or not buying his $15 book.

The bigger shame is how many newbies get stuck with a basic no-data CPAP before they register here. I wonder if Dawkins' book aggressively advocates having your own software and analyzing your own data? Does it Robert?

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Well guys, I didn't mean to offend anyone. I mentioned it in PMs when I thought there was more detailed information than could reasonably be posted in a politely brief post. I thought that was better than bringing it up in the forum more than once. And, as I tell our patients, there's nothing in it that I won't tell them for free or that they can't get elsewhere, but there's more than I could ever say to every patient, so in practice some of this only gets covered when they ask. That's what I tried to do, cover most of the questions that I've heard over the past quarter century. The table of contents is clearly available for consideration.

I do find disgraceful the number of CPAP machines that end up on the closet shelf. I think this is a failing of my own professional field (sleep) to adequately communicate and solve problems.

ChunkyFrog: I agree with you completely! These 63 year old eyes sometimes sometimes miss things on a computer screen. (That's why the ebook was proofed many times ... including by some of the docs mentioned in the acknowledgements ... and there are still probably some that got missed.)

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Actually, we order only data capable, autoset machines with modems. I see no reason for any lab not to order data capable machines. I recognize that the autoset with modem is my personal bias because I think it improves compliance because (1) it's more comfortable and (2) we can be more responsive to problems that arise.

So, I do try to give complete information about what is available. I try to be diplomatic, however, so as to not offend a sleep doc who doesn't agree with me.

[GumbyCT]

Actually, we order only data capable, autoset machines with modems. I see no reason for any lab not to order data capable machines. I recognize that the autoset with modem is my personal bias because I think it improves compliance because (1) it's more comfortable and (2) we can be more responsive to problems that arise.

I personally do NOT like the modems because my data would just bypass me. If there is a way for the cpap user to also have access to the modem data AND there is no fee to the cpap user, I don't know.

Who does pay for the data storage? There has got to be another fee here somewhere? No such thing as a FREE lunch.

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Your DME pays for an account. The data is grouped by doctor. I don't know whether it can be accessed directly by the "patient" without breaching the confidentiality of the doc's other patients but, certainly, if you request it the DME or sleep lab could print it out an mail it to you. We would do that if anyone asked, however, more often they ask to come in and review it with us. (We DON'T charge for such a visit.)

[-SWS]

I thought that was better than bringing it up in the forum more than once.

If people decide that your book is helpful, then having that openly discussed in the forum seems a win-win situation to me. If people take issue with your book's content, then that too can be helpful---since you have the option of incorporating any critical feedback you like into ebook revisions. That's one major advantage of e-publishing versus paper publishing IMHO.

The table of contents is clearly available for consideration.

I like that when I consider an e-book purchase on Amazon that I can preview the first chapter to help with my purchase decision. Now days we preview MP3 songs before purchase as well. So consider making your first chapter available for preview. $14.95 seems a bit steep for an unknown e-book of this specialized self-help genre. However, if it's a great e-book then it's probably worth the purchase price.

I'd still like to hear open discussion on this message board of what readers think...

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

Thank you -SWS .... actually, the first chapter IS available .... as is a link to a television interview for the local Council on Aging program on the University of West Florida TV station ...

And yes, I have already had some feedback from someone who bought the book.... I addressed the feedback directly via email and am incorporating that into the ebook too.... the additional information will also be emailed to all prior purchasers.

[GumbyCT]

Your DME pays for an account. The data is grouped by doctor. I don't know whether it can be accessed directly by the "patient" without breaching the confidentiality of the doc's other patients but, certainly, if you request it the DME or sleep lab could print it out an mail it to you.

While some may be pleased with that, to me, it just delays what I can now get when I need or want to look at "my data". I should not be inconvenienced for the convenience of others.
JMMO

To those CPAP users who might consider this modem concept -
it is my belief a release would be required "from the user" for this data to allow others to view it in this manner. While I understand this concept and agree with the right doc this might be useful - the majority of sleep docs will likely never look at this data unless and until the user calls. Plus I think the doc will have some staff members looking when it is required, not the doc him/her self.

So everyone can see it except the cpap user....lmao. I want "MY data" right here so I can see it at my leisure.
Thank You

[digitaleagle]

I don't see anything wrong with offering the book and think having all this info in one place is a big benefit to a lot of new CPAP users.

If I had known the book was available a few weeks ago, when I started my CPAP therapy, I probably would have purchased it.
Since then, I have gained a lot of info from this site and I doubt I would gain much more from the book. (I might be wrong) Even so, for all the work you put into it - I don't think what you are asking for it is unreasonable considering the specialized content.

I'd suggest some type of discount for people on the forum. Maybe offer a discount for a specific period of time, or for the first so many users as an incentive to get some reviews on the book posted on the forum.

Just a thought.

[-SWS]

.... actually, the first chapter IS available

Oops, sorry I missed that link. I see it now.

[chunkyfrog]

I, too am 63, and am due to change my lenses --again. What was once as easy as breathing . . . doggone it, well--thank goodness for spell check.
As for data availability, I really like knowing how I did the night before (nearly real time)
--how I feel is often completely meaningless without fresh memory of the night in question.
I believe that data availability and the use of an Autoset is responsible for getting 100% compliance from my dear husband.
We compare numbers every morning--no setting changes (we are not that adventurous)
I intend to take a look at your book. I hope my 'new' sleep doctor is as responsive as you seem to be.

[RDawkinsPhDMPH]

GumbyCT

Next day data is fine..... but most of the people I see don't know how it really relates to their performance, some don't even understand it ... I certainly would never suggest they shouldn't have it immediately available it they want it .... I just haven't had anyone express an interest. Usually they want to come back and go over it with me, and I actually enjoy doing that.... when someone is tested in our lab, they can schedule an appointment to talk about how they are doing anytime, free of charge, indefinitely.... in practice, most of the visits are in the first couple months. I tell them that part of my job is getting them used to the machine.

As for the privacy issue, there are clear cut legal boundaries that must be met.... the real security risk is probably not increased by the modem....

Chunkyfrog ... thanks for being understanding. Unfortunately, spell checkers don't help when you use the wrong word, and I didn't think of using it anyway.

[GumbyCT]

1st I must say that you are a different kind of doc than most here have experienced

I 'had' one doc who told me my questions were too technical and I didn't need to know that. This AFTER she told me she was a sleep expert. Needless to say, I no longer see her.

If you are doing as you say, that may in fact be fine for some others but not for me. I would want my data soon after I wake up. I agree that part of your job is to help the patients adapt to this new lifestyle. Unfortunately that is not the norm that "we" find in the real world.

So yea, until they can find a way to grant others access to my data without removing me from the picture I will have to decline.
However, I am certain there are patients who would need or want the doc to be able to see the data. I only hope they get a doc who like you will review the data in a timely manner.

For me, it's like they say, once burned - twice shy.

As for the privacy issue, there are clear cut legal boundaries that must be met.... the real security risk is probably not increased by the modem....

I am certain there are.