Rising to the Challenges in Sleep Technology

From navigating workforce shortages to embracing new partnerships, the AAST is working to strengthen the profession through collaboration and innovation.

The last few years have brought unparalleled changes to the sleep technology profession. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual patient care seemed a distant possibility; however, the urgency of the crisis forced rapid adoption.

Many in our field, myself included, once found it difficult to promote remote patient solutions. But as telemedicine and home sleep apnea testing (HSAT) solutions became essential, we saw a swift embrace of these technologies across sleep centers, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and beyond.

While these advances kept our profession moving forward, they came at a cost. The pandemic’s toll in 2020, combined with a widespread Philips recall in mid-2021 involving millions of positive airway pressure (PAP) devices, created financial strains that tested our resilience. I commend each of you who managed your sleep centers through these crises, showing unwavering commitment and leadership.

As we all know, our community also faces a critical talent shortage of skilled sleep technologists. A committee led by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) identified some of the key factors contributing to this attrition in the sleep technology profession, including: low compensation, difficult night shifts, work-life balance concerns, and limited opportunities for career growth.

Laree Fordyce, MS, RPSGT, RST, CCSH, and Lisa Endee, MPH, RRT-SDS, RPSGT, served on this committee as representatives of the American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST), and as an organization, we’re committed to collaborating with the AASM to create positive change and strengthen the profession. Addressing these factors is crucial for our future.

Building a Stronger Future

Over my 25 years in health care, I’ve witnessed tremendous evolution, and serving as AAST president during these times is a unique privilege and challenge. Like many organizations, AAST has experienced difficulties in the last few years. Our membership declined to just over 2,000 in 2024, reflecting a combination of career changes, economic pressures, and broader industry trends, but I am optimistic about the future.

In 2024, AAST conducted a comprehensive self-assessment to identify ways we could better serve our members. Recognizing the need for stronger support and renewing our focus on member value, we transitioned our management services to the AASM on Aug. 1, 2024. This partnership equips AAST with the resources to enhance our infrastructure, improve our service quality, and deliver greater value to our members.

I want to thank the AAST Board of Directors for their vision and courage, and I am grateful for the support of the AASM’s Board and Executive Director Steve Van Hout, MBA, CAE. With AASM’s Senior Director Chris Waring, a dedicated AAST advocate, and our new Senior Society Coordinator Mara Little, we are building a stronger future for AAST and our members.

Better Together

Looking ahead, I am thrilled to announce that the AAST 2025 annual meeting will coincide with SLEEP 2025 in Seattle, June 8-11. As the world’s largest sleep conference, SLEEP is the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS), a joint venture of the AASM and the Sleep Research Society (SRS).

The AAST 2025 annual meeting and SLEEP 2025 will provide sleep technologists with unmatched educational and networking opportunities, along with access to a massive exhibit hall to explore the latest industry innovations. I encourage sleep medicine professionals and individuals interested in a career in sleep medicine to join us in Seattle.

With the exciting return of the AAST annual meeting in June 2025, the AAST Board of Directors has rescheduled our membership meeting to June. This will give us the opportunity to welcome new members to the AAST Board of Directors, present AAST awards, recognize AAST Fellows, and welcome new volunteer leaders to the organization at the annual meeting. Keep an eye out for calls for nominations for Board members, award recipients, volunteers, and Fellows.

As we approach AAST’s 50th anniversary in 2028, I am confident in our ability to continue shaping the future of the sleep profession. This is an exciting new chapter in our remarkable history. Together with the AASM and our dedicated members, we can achieve remarkable progress. We are all better together.

By: Emerson Kerr

Source: SleepWorld Magazine