The use of telemedicine for the diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine update

J Clin Sleep Med. 2021 May 1;17(5):1103-1107. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.9194.

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread use of telemedicine and highlighted its importance in improving access to sleep care and advocating for sleep health. This update incorporates the lessons learned from such widespread utilization of telehealth to build on the American Academy of Sleep Medicine's 2015 position paper on the use of telemedicine for diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Important key factors in this update include an emphasis on quality and value, privacy and safety, health advocacy through sleep telemedicine, and future directions.

Keywords: advocacy; guidance; quality; safety; sleep disorders; sleep medicine; telemedicine.

MeSH terms

  • Academies and Institutes
  • COVID-19
  • Humans
  • Sleep Medicine Specialty
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Sleep Wake Disorders* / therapy
  • Telemedicine* / statistics & numerical data
  • United States / epidemiology