The Future of Behavioral Sleep Medicine: A Report on Consensus Votes at the Ponte Vedra Behavioral Sleep Medicine Consensus Conference, March 27–29, 2009

Abstract

On March 27 through 29, 2009 a consensus conference was held to address a series of issues and propositions related to clinical practice, research, and education in behavioral sleep medicine (BSM). The conference, held in in Ponte Vedra, Florida, included presentations given by key opinion leaders regarding the past and future of BSM, discussion panels and work groups, and anonymous voting on a slate of propositions. There was broad consensus that certification in sleep medicine (i.e., American Board of Sleep Medicine or American Board of Medical Specialties) does not confer automatic expertise in BSM; clinicians without certification in BSM (CBSM) should not be able to supervise BSM cases to fulfill CBSM eligibility requirements; psychologists should pursue independent board certification in BSM by the American Board of Professional Psychology; no program should receive an American Academy of Sleep Medicine “Academic Program of Distinction” designation, unless they have a CBSM professional on staff; sleep disorder center accreditation requirements should include the availability of BSM services from a CBSM provider; an annual or biannual BSM conference should be convened; an independent Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine should be established; and the new society's journal should be Behavioral Sleep Medicine.