Specialty Designation
Fellowship
Specialty Code
520
Type
Specialty
Specialty Description

Sleep medicine specialists treat sleep-/wake-related disorders using devices, surgical interventions, medications and behavioral therapies.

Completing training
169
With known plans
143
Pursuing more training
22
Practicing in the US
56
Group practice
23
In same specialty
37
In same state as program
11
In NHSC or similar underserved area
1
Academician
59
Full-time
58
Non-clinical research
1
Non-medical career/left country
3
Unemployed
2
Academic year
2020
Number of accredited programs
89
Length of accredited training
1
Minimum number of prior years required
3/4/5
Offers graduate year 1 positions, available immediately upon medical school completion
No
Average number of PY1 interviews
14.30
Percent of programs requiring Step 1 score for interview
84.20
Percent of programs requiring Level 1 score (for DOs) for interview
53.90
Total number of active residents/fellows
155.00
Average number of residents/fellows
1.70
Average percent female
40.80
Average percent international medical graduates
48.80
Average percent DOs
9.90
Average number of full-time physician faculty
7.60
Average number of part-time physician faculty
0.60
Average percent female full-time physician faculty
39.60
Average ratio of full-time physician faculty to resident/fellow
4.40
Average hours on duty per week
46.50
Average maximum consecutive hours on duty
13.70
Average days off duty per week
1.80
Average percent of training in hospital outpatient clinics
74.30
Average percent of training in non-hospital ambulatory care community settings
22.00
Average number of days of vacation
18.50
Average resident/fellow compensation
66421.14
Specialty Overview

What is a sleep medicine specialist?

Sleep medicine is a multidisciplinary subspecialty of family medicine, internal medicine, psychiatry, pediatrics, neurology and otolaryngology. It is a discipline of medical practice in which sleep disorders are assessed, monitored, treated and prevented by using a combination of techniques (clinical evaluation, physiologic testing, imaging and intervention) and medication.

Specialists in sleep medicine are expected to:

  • Participate in an interdisciplinary care of patients of all ages that incorporates aspects of psychiatry, neurology, internal medicine, epidemiology, surgery, pediatrics and basic science

  • Acquire detailed knowledge of the sleep and respiratory control centers, physiology, and neurobiology underlying sleep and wakefulness

  • Diagnose and manage sleep disorder patients in outpatient and inpatient settings

This subspecialty includes the clinical assessment, polysomnographic evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnias, disorders of excessive sleepiness (e.g., narcolepsy), sleep-related breathing disorders (such as obstructive sleep apnea), parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, sleep-related movement disorders and other conditions pertaining to the sleep-wake cycle.

What does a sleep medicine specialist do?

Specialists in sleep medicine possess a detailed knowledge of sleep-wake physiology, including neural systems that control sleep and wake processes and their respective neurotransmitters; sleep- and circadian rhythm–related changes in physiology (autonomic nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, gastrointestinal, endocrine, immune, etc.); medications and their effects on sleep and wakefulness; and the bidirectional relationship between sleep and medical, neurologic and psychiatric disorders.

Sleep medicine specialists treat sleep-/wake-related disorders using devices, surgical interventions, medications and behavioral therapies. They utilize diagnostic tools in their treatment such as validated sleep questionnaires, actigraphy, polysomnography and portable sleep apnea monitors in outpatient and inpatient settings.

Career opportunities in sleep medicine include academic, private practice and/or research positions.

Related Training

Sleep Medicine Subspecialty/Fellowship Training

Education and fellowship training in sleep medicine are overseen by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Certification examinations are administered by American Board of Internal Medicine, American Board of Family Medicine, American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Otolaryngology.

Association

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American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST)
2595 Patriot Blvd.
Glenview, IL 60026
(224) 521-9800
chestnet.org

American Academy of Sleep Medicine
2510 N. Frontage Road
Darien, IL 60561
(630) 737-9700
aasmnet.org

American Thoracic Society
25 Broadway, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10004
(212) 315-8600
thoracic.org

Grad Year
2020