Last month, the BRPT held its 5th Annual Symposium: In Tune With Today—
Collaborating For Tomorrow and to say it was a success is an understatement. A strong sense of community, pride and passion for the field was palpable among the more than 200 RPSGTs gathered in Nashville. Their enthusiasm was contagious and exciting.
Dr. Charles Atwood delivered the keynote address. He dove into the future of sleep medicine and the number of changing sleep paradigms. He talked about three future trends he sees impacting the profession, he believes: home sleep testing will become the focus of managing obstructive sleep apnea; sleep labs will become centers for testing much more complicated patients; and RPSGTs will have more diverse and specialized roles. He talked about the need to work with and educate patients more than ever before and the need to be more technologically oriented.
Dr. Atwood described RPSGTs as “the linchpin of the sleep medicine enterprise” and I couldn’t agree more. Sleep disorders are not going away, but the way we manage them is changing. He advised us all to train for the future, not the past.
It was a full two days with speakers covering the increasingly important role of the Clinical Sleep Educator – the importance of knowing advanced therapies – and the elements of chronic care management.
We learned about exploring external and internal expansion options for sleep centers, paving the way for the future. We received detailed information around choosing an accrediting organization making certain the choice we make brings value to our sleep center and to our patients.
One presenter led us through the process of developing and implementing a solid quality assurance program in our sleep center. And, a well-known legal expert in the field provided a detailed overview of the laws impacting sleep centers and how to stay informed and in compliance with them.
The feedback I received from both RPSGTs and the vendors who joined us in Nashville was unanimous: it was an enriching and enjoyable professional experience. Click here to view photos of your fellow RPSGTs learning, working and enjoying themselves with colleagues. Thanks to everyone who participated: you were integral to making this an event to remember!
For now, mark your calendars for the 2012 BRPT Symposium in Reno, NV, September 20-22!
BRPT President
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