The Uncertain Fate of Otolaryngology in Sleep Medicine

Abstract

Since 2011, otolaryngologists have been required to complete a 1-year fellowship in sleep medicine in order to be eligible for the ABOto Sleep Medicine Certification Examination (ASMCE). Resultantly, the number of sleep medicine board-certified otolaryngologists has plunged since that time. This push toward extinction comes at a time when otolaryngologists have been cast into the spotlight for the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, the prevailing disorder in sleep medicine. To reverse the trajectory of this subspecialty, 2 changes need to occur: increase the exposure to sleep medicine/surgery during residency and improve access to sleep medicine fellowships featuring a strong otolaryngology presence.

Keywords

sleep medicine fellowship sleep surgery

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