Burden Of Sleep Disorders Proves Costly - Australasian Sleep Association Conference

Main Category: Sleep / Sleep Disorders / Insomnia
Article Date: 02 Oct 2005 - 21:00 PDT

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How to manage the growing burden of disease presented by sleep disorders when resources are limited will be the focus of discussion when the Australasian sleep medicine community gathers in Surfers Paradise to hear Professor John Stradling share his views on simplified techniques of diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Professor Stradling is Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Oxford University in the United Kingdom and Consultant Director of the Sleep Clinic at Churchill Hospital. He is the keynote speaker at "Sleep: 21st Century and Beyond - Managing the Burden of Disease", the 18th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australasian Sleep Association and the Australasian Sleep Technologists Association being held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort from Friday 7 October to Sunday 9 October 2005.

Professor Peter Cistulli, President of the Australasian Sleep Association, said he was thrilled to have Professor Stradling as the keynote speaker at this year's event.

"The burden of sleep disorders is felt not only in the excessive demand for diagnosis and screening but also in the burden of treatment for these disorders," he said.

"Professor Stradling has extensive clinical and research backgrounds in both these areas. I expect his presentations to be informative and enlightening for all sleep clinicians and researchers who share a system like Australia's where demand greatly exceeds resources," he said.

Professor Cistulli adds the theme of this year's conference will combine a review of the cutting edge of technology in sleep medicine and an exploration of Models of Care for adult and paediatric sleep-disordered breathing, behavioural disorders and disorders of chronobiology and sleep restriction.

Invited speakers from Australia and New Zealand will enrich the program with presentations on topics including management of insomnia, sleeping and the prison system and surgical treatments for obstructive sleep apnoea.

A panel of experts will enthusiastically debate the pros and cons of whether minimally-symptomatic, mild obstructive sleep apnoea should be treated with a dental/medical device in adults or adeno-tonsillectomy in children.

"We have also introduced a Hot Topics Session where the content has been nominated by the membership, and I expect to see some lively discussion," said Professor Cistulli.

"Sleep: 21st Century and Beyond - Managing the Burden of Disease" is being held at the Surfers Paradise Marriott Resort from Friday 7 to Sunday 9 October 2005. The conference will attract sleep technologists, nurses, surgeons, physicians, psychologists, dentists and others with an interest in sleep medicine.

To view full program visit
sleepaus.on.net/asm2005prog.pdf