Lifelong Learning for Healthcare Professionals

A Team 3 PowerPoint ProductionBy Lynda Treadway, Michael Wilson & Raoul

Coffey

Lifelong Learning for Healthcare Professionals

Continued education throughout your career ensures a uniform standard of excellence in patient care for everyone.

Once registered, renewal requires either continuing education credits (CECs) or the registry exam must be retaken to remain current.

Staying current with educational requirements and sleep medicine technology develops true experts in our field of Polysomnography.

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.   ~Irish Proverb

Evolution of Sleep Medicine

For centuries, it has been known sleep disorders could affect conditions such as epilepsy and asthma.

The discovery of REM sleep and sleep apnea increased recognition that sleep disorders can have serious medical consequences, per the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM).

This recognition led to a movement in the 1970’s of clinics and laboratories devoted to the study of sleep medicine.

As more clinicians devoted their efforts on the diagnosis and management of sleep disorders, it became apparent that persons with special knowledge in sleep medicine should be identified and recognized.

The field of Polysomnography was born. This field has advanced steadily over the past several years and is now recognized as a separate and distinct allied health profession, per the American Association of Sleep Technologist (AAST).

Educational Requirements for Polysomnographic Technologists

Future educational requirements will become more and more stringent and be in line with requirements for Registered Nurses and Registered Respiratory Therapists, per BRPT.

Currently, the BRPT exam pass rate national average is approximately 50%.

Per Marty Schulz, Program Director, LBCC’s pass rate for the BRPT exam is over 95%.

LBCC students participate in an accelerated program and qualify for an exam seat upon successful completion.

Upon passing the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT) exam, candidates become Registered Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT) for the next five years.

Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (BRPT)

Eligibility RequirementsFour Exam Pathways

1. 18-months on-the-job training.2. 6-months experience, plus RN, MD, etc.3. Graduate of a CAAHEP Accredited Polysomnographic

Technologist Program – LBCC.4. 9-months experience, in addition to completion of both

the American Academy of Sleep Medicine ‘s (AASM) A-Step Self-Study Online Modules and Introductory Course.

Additional requirements

a. Must hold current CPR card for BLS for Healthcare Providers.

b. Must adhere to the BRPT “Standards of Conduct” and “Policies and Procedures.”

Continuing Education Credit Requirements (CECs)

BRPT requires CEC units (50 hours) in each five-year period. This five-year cycle is lower than set in previous years. This is a more realistic time period for a field that changes rapidly.

BRPT acceptable CECs are broken down into four Program Types:a. Attending approved national, regional, state and local sleep-

related programs.b. Attending approved case conferences or in-service programs.c. Reading BRPT recognized journals and submitting summaries.d. Completing online modules with assessments following the

course.

A combination of program types are required. For example, reading approvedjournals can only account for 15 hours of the required 50. However, all CEC hourscan come from Program Type A.

American Association of Sleep Technologists (AAST) and the Atlanta School of Sleep Medicine and Technology provide several methods of satisfying CEC requirements of the BRPT.

Check BRPT for current requirements.

Benefits of CECs Relative to the Polysomnography Field

Lifelong learning is required to stay current on new discoveries in medicine and technology.

Today, it is evident, sleep disorders are responsible for contributing to heart disease, diabetes and many other conditions.

As the technology advances, the speed of detection and management of sleep disorders will be greatly improved.

CECs ensure that all RPSGTs be required to pursue lifelong learning and receive access to the same uniform education throughout their career.

Why now?

The Polysomnography field is still relatively new, only about 30 years old.

In the Unites States alone, over 40 million people are affected by sleep disorders.

“Sleep is one of the cornerstones of good health. It affects everything from your weight and blood pressure to your energyand mood. If you have been struggling with an ongoing sleep problem,then a sleep study may be just what you need. It could be the keythat unlocks the door to a dramatic improvement in your health anda better quality of life for you,” said Dr. Mary Susan Esther, President, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

Sleep medicine is considered preventative maintenance. With properdiagnosis, millions of people can live longer, healthier, more productive lives. This, in turn, will help save everyone money and reduce healthcare costs.

Labor Projections/Assumptions

In order to accommodate the millions of people affected by sleep disorders,

the labor projections over the next ten years are expected to increase more

than 20%.

Polysomnography is an allied health field. Exceptional growth is predicted.

LBCC’s Accelerated Polysomnographic Technologist Program allows it’s

students an opportunity to get in, get educated, and get into this field in

less than one year.

The future educational requirements for RPSGT are going to increase.

NOW IS THE TIME!

In Conclusion

1. Lifelong learning for healthcare professionals is necessary and is crucial to developing true experts in a wide variety of healthcare professions.

2. The field of Polysomnography was inspired with the discovery of REM sleep and sleep apnea.

3. Educational requirements for Polysomnographic Technologist range from basic reading, writing and math skills to specialized knowledge of biology, medical terminology and subjects pertaining to Polysomnography.

4. Eligibility to sit for BRPT exam range from on-the-job training to completion of accelerated programs offered at schools like LBCC.

5. CEC requirements for RPSGTs are set by the BRPT and currently require 50 CEC units (50 hours) in a 5-year period.

6. Benefits of CECs keep RPSGTs current in their field and help maintain uniform education throughout their career.

7. Polysomnography is a newly recognized allied health field. It promotes advances in other medical fields and preventive maintenance medicine.

Bibliography

1) Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists (www.brpt.org)

2) American Academy of Sleep Medicine (www.aasmnet.org)

3) American Association of Sleep Technologists (www.aastweb.org)

4) Sleep Educators (www.sleepeducators.com)

5) European Society of Sleep Technologists (www.esst.org)

6) American Board of Sleep Medicine (www.absm.org)

7) Emedicine from Webmd (www.emedicine.com)

8) Linn-Benton Community College (www.linnbenton.edu)