Thought Leaders Articles
Updates from the AASM president and other leaders in the organization
As a physician scientist, I recognize that sleep science is foundational to the AASM mission of improving sleep health and promoting high quality patient centered care. I believe that the clinical practice of sleep medicine always will be guided by scientific discovery.
Your support helps the AASM continue the important initiatives that will make a lasting impact on the field of sleep medicine. Currently the AASM is finalizing The International Classification of Sleep Disorders, Third Edition; developing quality measures for several of the most common sleep disorders; advocating for a Stark Law exception for sleep specialists; partnering with the CDC and Sleep Research Society to promote healthy sleep; and much more.
A decade ago the American Academy of Sleep Medicine established the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine as a relevant and practical resource for sleep clinicians. The peer-reviewed journal quickly filled an important niche in the field by providing new research and a forum for timely debates and commentaries focused on applied sleep science and sleep medicine.
As we prepare to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, I want to thank you for your continued support and involvement as an AASM member. I am especially grateful to those of you who volunteer your time and contribute your expertise by serving on an AASM committee, section or task force.
I’m pleased to announce that the AASM is partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the National Healthy Sleep Awareness Project. Through a five-year cooperative agreement, the AASM will develop and implement the project to reduce the staggering national burden of poor sleep health and sleep illness.
As a professional membership society, the AASM offers multiple ways for you to contribute to the advancement of the sleep field through voluntary service. In particular, I want to bring your attention to two noteworthy opportunities.
Promoting the AASM vision of achieving optimal health through better sleep requires a multi-faceted approach to raise public awareness of the importance of healthy sleep.
As the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) ushers in changes that are likely to alter the landscape of health care delivery in the U.S., the field of sleep medicine is undergoing its own transformation. “The Future is Here,” my editorial in the Sept. 15 issue of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, outlines current priorities for the sleep field and the AASM.
The Board of Directors recently reviewed and recalibrated the AASM vision and mission statements as part of a strategic planning process.
Recently the AASM requested that members complete a preauthorization survey to help us gather data from your experience with utilization management review and preauthorization for diagnostic sleep testing. I am grateful to all of the members who took the time to complete this survey.