Moving the Needle

For many years, sleep technologists were primarily responsible for conducting overnight polysomnography (PSG) studies, performing continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)/bilateral positive airway pressure (BiPAP) titrations, and ensuring the accuracy of diagnostic data. Their principal goal was gathering and analyzing sleep data to help physicians diagnose sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and other sleep disorders.

Today, the role of the sleep technologist has evolved significantly to encompass a more comprehensive, patient-centered approach that involves many components, including education, compliance management, and ongoing patient support.

Many of these sleep health professionals hold the Certification in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH) credential. These advanced-level sleep health professionals work closely with patients throughout their treatment journey—from diagnosis and patient education to therapy initiation and ongoing compliance. They engage in follow-up care, noting the need for potential treatment adjustments and ensuring patients are adhering to prescribed therapies like CPAP.

Another key component of a CCSH credential holder’s role involves acting as an intermediary between patients and healthcare providers, advocating for patient needs and ensuring that physicians are informed about patients’ progress, challenges with therapy, or necessary adjustments.

This shift from short-term diagnostic work to long-term patient care is a mark of the clinical sleep health professional’s evolving role. They require a broader range of skills, including patient communication, education, and troubleshooting of home-based devices. Certification and ongoing education in areas such as clinical management, patient coaching, and technology use (e.g., telemedicine platforms), are becoming essential. This expanded skill set reflects the more dynamic, patient-focused nature of their work today, supporting a more holistic approach to sleep medicine.

How AI and Machine Learning Are Changing Healthcare

Advances in new technology have impacted every profession and discipline—and sleep medicine is no different. Technology is increasing access to care, improving outcomes, and enhancing patient and physician satisfaction while at the same time reducing costs. From telemedicine and virtual assistants to wearable devices, enhanced capabilities powered by artificial intelligence (AI),  and predictive analytics—today’s tools allow us to analyze more complex data and enable the integration of various health data sources. These innovations not only improve the efficiency and accuracy of diagnosing and treating sleep disorders but also enhance patient engagement and accessibility.

As these new technologies have become more essential to the profession, the role of the clinical sleep health professional becomes even more critical. These sleep health professionals require a deep understanding of sleep architecture and variances,  diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, comorbidities, practice parameters and guidelines, differing patient education styles, and compliance. Drawing on this knowledge, they help to educate patients and the community and serve in an important physician extender role, fostering a more seamless continuum of care.

Sleep technologists play a crucial role in ensuring positive long-term patient outcomes. By managing compliance, addressing challenges, and providing education, they help patients adhere to therapy over time, significantly improving their quality of life.

Unlocking Collaborative Potential

To reach more patients, providers in other disciplines must see how sleep medicine can benefit their patient populations and lead to better outcomes. Collaborating with providers in different specialties such as pediatrics, occupational health, cardiopulmonary medicine, dental medicine, otolaryngology, weight management and nutrition, and diabetes education, to name a few, is an enormous opportunity at our fingertips.

Expanding the clinical sleep health professional’s role in your practice takes time and a clear sense of what you want your sleep center to look like. Begin by creating a clear marketing strategy that outlines how you will target these collaborative areas of practice. A strong online presence, a focused social media strategy, participation in community events, and interdisciplinary networking will undoubtedly be necessary components. As you move forward, develop baseline metrics to measure and demonstrate how the role of the clinical sleep health professional is expanding your practice.

Conclusion

The clinical sleep health professional role has evolved from a purely technical, diagnostic function into a multifaceted, patient-centered profession that integrates clinical care, education, compliance management, and technological expertise. This transformation highlights the growing recognition of sleep disorders as chronic conditions that require ongoing management rather than one-time interventions.

By: Amber Allen, BA, AAS, RPSGT, RST, CCSH, BRPT President

Source: SleepWorld Magazine November/December 2024