A fellowship in Sleep Medicine is an advanced training program for medical professionals who wish to specialize in diagnosing and managing sleep disorders. This program typically lasts one to two years and covers a comprehensive range of topics, including the physiology of sleep, sleep disorders like insomnia, sleep apnea, parasomnias, circadian rhythm disorders, and restless leg syndrome. Fellows learn to use various diagnostic tools, such as polysomnography (sleep studies), actigraphy, and portable monitoring devices, to assess and diagnose sleep disorders.
Core Curriculum Components
1. Sleep Science Fundamentals:
Normal sleep physiology and architecture
Neurobiology of sleep-wake regulation
Circadian rhythm mechanisms
2. Major Sleep Disorders:
Obstructive/Central Sleep Apnea (OSA/CSA)
Chronic Insomnia Disorder
Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease
Parasomnias (REM Behavior Disorder, Sleepwalking)
Circadian Rhythm Sleep-Wake Disorders
Narcolepsy and Hypersomnias
Advanced Diagnostic Training
✔ In-lab Polysomnography (Level I)
✔ Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT)
✔ Multiple Sleep Latency Testing (MSLT)
✔ Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing (MWT)
✔ Actigraphy and Sleep Log Analysis
Therapeutic Modalities
Behavioral Interventions:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)
Sleep hygiene optimization
Light therapy for circadian disorders
Medical Management:
Pharmacotherapy algorithms
Novel wake-promoting agents
Side effect mitigation strategies
Device-Based Therapies:
PAP therapy (CPAP/BPAP/ASV)
Oral appliance therapy
Hypoglossal nerve stimulation
Clinical Rotations
Sleep Laboratory: 6 months minimum
Pulmonary Sleep Medicine
Neurological Sleep Disorders
Pediatric Sleep Medicine
ENT-Sleep Surgery Collaboration
Research Components
Mandatory scholarly project
Quality improvement initiatives
Journal club participation
National conference presentations
Eligibility Requirements
Completion of residency in:
✓ Internal Medicine
✓ Neurology
✓ Psychiatry
✓ Pediatrics
✓ Family Medicine
Valid medical license
Three letters of recommendation
USMLE/COMLEX certification
Career Pathways
Medical director of sleep centers
Academic faculty positions
Industry consultant roles
Private practice opportunities
Fellowship Competencies
By completion, fellows will demonstrate proficiency in:
Interpreting complex sleep studies
Managing comorbid sleep conditions
Implementing cost-effective care models
Conducting ethical sleep research
This program prepares physicians to become leaders in the rapidly evolving field of sleep medicine, addressing the growing public health impact of sleep disorders through excellence in clinical care, education, and research.
