| Sleep Medicine |
| Candidates in the subspecialty of sleep medicine are those in the field of psychiatry, neurology or child neurology, who are seeking ABPN Board Certification. Sleep medicine is a subspecialty that involves having expertise in the diagnosis and management of sleep-related clinical conditions, including circadian rhythm disorders. 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. All candidates will need to complete and submit an application in order to qualify and apply for an examination. Each application will be reviewed by the credentials department. Candidates become diplomates after passing their examination. Diplomates will then begin the process of maintenance of certification. Apply for an examination | ABPN Physician Folios site | Visit the Pearson VUE Website |
Initial Certification in Sleep Medicine
A. History and Statement of Principles
The Sleep Medicine Certification Program, developed by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM), the American Board of Pediatrics (ABP), the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN), and the American Board of Otolaryngology (ABOto) for diplomates in internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and neurology, and otolaryngology is designed to recognize excellence among physicians who are specialists in the care of patients with sleep problems and specific sleep disorders. Sleep medicine encompasses a multidisciplinary body of knowledge regarding the anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and pharmacology of sleep and wakefulness, and their disorders.
The examination will be administered to candidates from the ABIM, ABP, ABPN, and ABOto at the same time in the same testing centers. Participation in the certification program is voluntary. Certification is not required of practitioners in this field, and the certificate does not confer privilege to practice. [more]
Maintenance of Certification in Sleep Medicine
The Maintenance of Certification Program (MOC) of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology reflects the Board's commitment to lifelong learning throughout one's profession. The mission of MOC is to ensure that diplomates adhere to the highest standards in medicine and pursue excellence in all areas of care and practice improvement. The MOC program requires diplomates to participate in sanctioned self-assessment performance measures, identify perceived weaknesses in their knowledge, pursue learning activities tailored to areas that need to be strengthened, and develop quality improvement programs based on their clinical practice. The goal is for diplomates to reflect on their personal knowledge and performance and commit to a process of improvement and reevaluation of performance measures over a specified time frame that will ultimately lead to improved care for their patients. [more]