Sleep in non-academic setting

[Spinothalamic]

Hey all, I am a neurology resident considering a career in sleep + general neurology. I was wondering about the approximate percentage of OSA/all sleep patients in a non-academic setting.

I have heard that if one wants to enjoy a career in sleep, he or she must have an appreciation for OSA, especially in a non-academic setting. I am curious, though, about how often narcolepsy and parasomnias are seen outside of academics. Do these tend to be a very small percentage of a patient panel? Is it likely that a non-academic sleep specialist in a rural area would see >90% sleep-disordered breathing?

One other question—do newly trained sleep specialists coming from adult specialties generally feel comfortable with pediatric sleep complaints or would they likely refer to an academic institution or peds sleep specialist?

My first sleep rotation is later this year so I know I will get a better idea then.

Thanks!

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[taiwanwalker]

Hello I am a sleep medicine fellow
Sleep apnea always > 80%, Insomnia >50%(Some overlap), Narcolepsy and parasomnia 10% in an academic setting esp in Pedi patients, but much lesser in a non-academic setting with adult patients. I feel comfortable seeing Pedi patient with their sleep problem since it's part of our training, but I will choose not to find a job with Pedi patient since they always take much more time and it's not rewarding.

 

[Spinothalamic]

Thanks for providing some insight! I look forward to learning more in an upcoming rotation and will see if I can appreciate the nuances of treating OSA.