Mapping the landscape of sleep medicine training across Asia

STUDY OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the current state of sleep medicine accreditation and training in Asia by conducting a comprehensive survey across 29 Asian countries and regions facilitated by the Asian Society of Sleep Medicine to identify existing gaps and provide recommendations for future enhancements.

METHODS: The Asian Society of Sleep Medicine Education Task Force Committee designed a survey to gather data on accreditation, education, and training standards in sleep medicine, including information on challenges in enhancing education in the field.

RESULTS: With an 86% (25 countries/regions) response rate, the survey showed that sleep medicine is recognized as an independent specialty in just 9 countries/regions (36% of the countries/regions surveyed). Ten countries/regions have established sleep medicine training programs, with Japan and Saudi Arabia offering it as a distinct specialty. Significant disparities in training and accreditation standards were identified, with many countries/regions lacking formalized training and practice guidelines. The survey also revealed that most local sleep societies across Asia support the development of an Asian Sleep Medicine Training Curriculum led by the Asian Society of Sleep Medicine. However, several barriers significantly impede the establishment and development of sleep medicine training programs, including the scarcity of trained specialists and technologists and the absence of national accreditation for sleep medicine.

CONCLUSIONS: The survey highlights the need for standardized sleep medicine training and accreditation across Asia. Developing an Asian Sleep Medicine Training Curriculum and promoting Asian Society of Sleep Medicine accreditation guidelines are key recommendations. Implementing these strategies is essential for advancing sleep medicine as a widely recognized discipline throughout Asia.

CITATION: BaHammam AS, Al-Abri MA, Abd Rashid R, et al. Mapping the landscape of sleep medicine training across Asia. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(10):1647-1656.