A sleep medicine curriculum for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery

Ear, Nose & Throat Journal, Sept, 1999 by Terence M. Davidson, Jose S. Loredo

Goals and objectives

Otolaryngologists play an important role in the evaluation and treatment of patients with sleep disordered breathing, with special emphasis and expertise in obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, and upper airway resistance syndrome. The following curriculum is designed to provide the otolaryngologist with the requisite knowledge in the basic and clinical sciences of sleep so that they can independently evaluate and treat patients with sleep disordered breathing and participate in multidisciplinary team practices.

Curriculum

The curriculum is a list of topics that pertain to the study and practice of sleep medicine. These topics are not equally important, nor is it implied that otolaryngologists will be equally versed in all areas. The amount of time spent on study and the specific subjects that will be covered are local issues to be determined by interest and local resources.

Abstract

As otolaryngologists play increasingly important roles in the evaluation and treatment of sleep disordered breathing, it is important that all practitioners systematically study the field of sleep. The curriculum outlined in this article has been developed for resident training at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. It is divided into goals and objectives, curriculum, differential diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing, international classification of sleep disordered breathing, a glossary of sleep terms, and a list of resources.

From the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Dr. Davidson) and the Division of Pulmonary Physiology (Dr. Loredo), University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine and the VA San Diego Healthcare System.