Workforce and Employment Status of Sleep Medicine Graduates in Iran

Shahram Samadi; Khosro Sadeghniiat Haghighi; Arezu Najafi; Ania  Rahimi-Golkhandan; Farid Moradian; Hamed Amirifard; Zahra Banfesheh Alemohammad; Zahra Nikeghbalian

doi:10.18502/jss.v7i(3-4).15245

Shahram Samadi Sleep Breathing Disorders Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Pain Research Center, Neurosciences Institue, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Khosro Sadeghniiat Haghighi Sleep Breathing Disorders Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Arezu Najafi Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ania Rahimi-Golkhandan Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Farid Moradian Depatment of Surgery, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Hamed Amirifard Sleep Breathing Disorders Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Banfesheh Alemohammad Occupational Sleep Research Center, Baharloo Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Zahra Nikeghbalian Sleep Breathing Disorders Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jss.v7i(3-4).15245

Keywords: Sleep; Medicine; Fellowships; Sleep disorders

Abstract

Background and Objective: Sleep medicine is a multidisciplinary specialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating sleep disorders. Sleep medicine fellowship programs in Iran commenced in 2012 at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. This study aimed to investigate the human resources and employment status of sleep medicine fellowship graduates in Iran.

Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in Iran in 2022 using conven- ience sampling and included 41 sleep medicine fellows in Iran. Data collection tools included a demographic question- naire and a researcher-made survey. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software.

Results: Out of 57 sleep medicine fellows, 41 individuals with an average age of 44.95 ± 7.57 years participated in the study. Only 12% of the fellows were satisfied with their income, and all participants expressed dissatisfaction with their insurance coverage. 92% considered the existence of a national guideline for sleep medicine to be crucial, while 66.7% felt the curriculum of medical sleep medicine had some deficiencies.

Conclusion: Lack of a suitable national guideline for treating and preventing sleep disorders, lack of insurance coverage for tests and respiratory assist devices, and high costs of establishing and equipping specialized sleep clinics are major challenges recognized by sleep medicine fellows. Additionally, due to the low priority given to these diseases by authorities and the inappropriate distribution of sleep medicine specialists in the country, access to appropriate treatment for sleep disorders is only feasible in giant cities.