Sleep medicine education and knowledge among medical students in selected Saudi Medical Schools

Abstract

BackgroundLimited information is available regarding sleep medicine education worldwide. Nevertheless, medical education has been blamed for the under-recognition of sleep disorders among physicians. This study was designed to assess the knowledge of Saudi undergraduate medical students about sleep and sleep disorders and the prevalence of education on sleep medicine in medical schools as well as to identify the obstacles to providing such education.MethodsWe surveyed medical schools that were established more than 10 years ago, asking fourth- and fifth-year medical students (men and women) to participate. Seven medical schools were selected. To assess knowledge on sleep and sleep disorders, we used the Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education (ASKME) Survey, which is a validated 30-item questionnaire. The participants were separated into two groups: those who scored ≥60% and those who scored <60%. To assess the number of teaching hours dedicated to sleep medicine in the undergraduate curricula, the organizers of the major courses on sleep disorders were contacted to obtain the curricula for those courses and to determine the obstacles to education.ResultsA total of 348 students completed the survey (54.9% male). Among the participants, 27.7% had a specific interest in sleep medicine. More than 80% of the study sample had rated their knowledge in sleep medicine as below average. Only 4.6% of the respondents correctly answered ≥60% of the questions. There was no difference in the scores of the respondents with regard to university, gender, grade-point average (GPA) or student academic levels. Only five universities provided data on sleep medicine education. The time spent teaching sleep medicine in the surveyed medical schools ranged from 0-8 hours with a mean of 2.6 ±2.6 hours. Identified obstacles included the following: (1) sleep medicine has a lower priority in the curriculum (53%) and (2) time constraints do not allow the incorporation of sleep medicine topics in the curriculum (47%).ConclusionsMedical students in the surveyed institutions possess poor knowledge regarding sleep medicine, which reflects the weak level of education in this field of medicine. To improve the recognition of sleep disorders among practicing physicians, medical schools must provide adequate sleep medicine education.

Sleep Medicine in Saudi Arabia

“…According to a national survey of medical schools in Saudi Arabia that applied the Assessment of Sleep Knowledge in Medical Education survey, only 4.6% of respondents correctly answered at least 60% of the questions. 29 The mean time spent teaching sleep medicine according to the surveyed medical schools was 2.6 hours. 29 Likewise, the postgraduate teaching of sleep disorders during residency training is limited.…”

“…29 The mean time spent teaching sleep medicine according to the surveyed medical schools was 2.6 hours. 29 Likewise, the postgraduate teaching of sleep disorders during residency training is limited. 30 The health care system in Saudi Arabia relies on a referral system in which the patient first meets with a primary care physician who assesses and decides on the patient's treatment plan.…”

Governmental and Private Dentists’ Knowledge, Educational Background, Opinion, and Clinical Experience toward Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Oral Appliances

“…14,15 The literature is lacking significant research to assess sleep medicine knowledge and education among dental students or general practice dentists. General practice dentists are more likely to be among the first to contact who detect, refer, or treat potential OSA patients.…”

“…It has been demonstrated that doctors who receive training in sleep disorders are more likely to recognize and treat sleep disorders. 14 In practice, dentists should consider more attention to two important matters. First, before dentists assume responsibility for an OSA patient, they should prepare themselves with information about sleep medicine and OAs.…”

“…2,10 Most previous studies focused primarily on physicians' knowledge and attitudes toward sleep disorders. 12 Some investigations evaluated the nature and extent of sleep medicine provided in medical schools, [13][14][15] but there were fewer studies that focused on the role of the dentists and their knowledge in relation to sleep disorders and their treatment modalities especially in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the aims of this study were to determine knowledge, educational background, opinion, and clinical experience of general practice dentists toward OSA and OAs.…”