Current Practice of Sleep Medicine in Turkey

Abstract

Sleep Medicine is considered a relatively new specialty in medicine. The practice of sleep medicine in Turkey began in the late 20th century. Sleep medicine in Turkey has developed with the opening of several sleep medicine facilities. The Turkish Medical Association and the Ministry of Health oversee the accreditation of sleep centers as well as certify sleep specialists. The diagnosis and proper treatment of obstructive sleep apnea are important when obtaining driver’s licenses and serving in the military. The major hurdles that the sleep medicine community faces in Turkey are financial especially in the current, post COVID-19, and Russian-Ukranian war economic crisis. In addition to these barriers, there are also gaps in knowledge and awareness particularly as it pertains to interethnic differences in sleep disorders’ susceptibility.

Keywords: Accreditation, Certification, Financial barriers, Sleep Medicine, Turkey.

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