“And mostly they have a need for sleeping pills”: Physicians' views on treatment of sleep disorders with drugs in nursing homes

► The interviewed physicians often showed a sweeping attitude towards hypnotics. ► Nursing home physicians believe hypnotics are the appropriate treatment. ► Risks and chances of sleep medication are seldom sophisticatedly balanced. ► Addiction to medication is considered an insignificant risk. ► Alternatives to drugs for sleep disorders are considered only exceptionally.