Sleep medicine incorporates the study of healthy sleep and the investigation and management of sleep disorders. Sleep medicine is a non-organ specific, cross-disciplinary specialty. It is underpinned by a substantial and rapidly expanding scientific knowledge base. The maintenance of health across the ages is critically dependent on obtaining adequate sleep. Acute and chronic sleep deprivation is associated with a range of adverse neurobehavioral, endocrine, and cardiovascular outcomes.

Sleep medicine specialists address the health care needs of the community by:

  • promoting healthy sleep and sleep practices across the lifespan
  • addressing and managing the burden of sleep disorders in a timely and cost-effective manner, utilising evidenced-based approaches
  • optimising sleep in the context of physical and mental health and comorbid conditions
  • providing information for industry and governmental regulatory authorities on the impact of sleep deprivation and sleep disorders.

Sleep medicine specialists possess special clinical skills, such as:

Recognising how sleep affects health and daily functioning. Sleep deprivation is endemic in western societies – health implications include mood disturbance, accidents / injuries, increased insulin resistance, and neuroendocrine disturbance.

Diagnosing, investigating, and managing individuals with sleep disorders. Patients with sleep disorders undergo special assessments which include a combination of clinical evaluation and sleep monitoring, and the subsequent application of treatment modalities using various interventions, including medications, medical devices, surgical procedures, education, and behavioural techniques.

Honing expertise in sleep monitoring and physiological assessment of sleep and sleep disorders.

Providing age-appropriate care. Sleep disorders occur in a variety of patients, from children to the elderly. Effective treatments are available for most sleep disorders, but they rely on the accurate identification of the disorder and health professionals who are skilled in their application. Thus, sleep medicine physicians play a central role in delivery of health care to patients of all ages with primary and secondary sleep disorders.

Sleep medicine specialists have specific professional skills, including:

  • Applying a multidisciplinary approach.

    Sleep medicine specialists work collaboratively with other health professionals and within a team.

  • Working sensitively with a variety of patients.

    Sleep medicine specialists develop an ability to deal with patients from a diverse range of backgrounds, reviewing cognitive and physical function, in a professional and empathetic manner.

  • Strong communication skills.

    Sleep medicine specialists must develop a personable interviewing technique and an ability to relate to patients from all walks of life. It is also essential that they appreciate when referral to a more appropriate or more qualified practitioner in a particular subspecialty is necessary.

  • Managing resources for the benefit of patients and communities.

    Sleep medicine specialists apply a biopsychosocial approach to ensure the delivery of efficient, cost-effective, and safe care for the benefit of their patients and communities.

  • Applying a scholarly approach.

    Sleep medicine specialists conduct academic research to discover better ways of understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease. They apply research to improve the management of patients.

Last modified: Wednesday, 20 August 2025, 3:47 PM