Sleep Medicine has evolved as a recognized subspecialty in Western countries, but yet to be in emerging economies. General Practitioners and specialists may encounter patients with sleep problems and may often initiate therapy. It would be important to recognize sleep disorders early and treat them to prevent complications. Failure of initial treatment or lack of clarity on the exact nature of the sleep disorder should prompt referral to Sleep Medicine specialists.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is increasingly focusing on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Sleep Disorders are at least as common as most of these and, if untreated, can also lead to some of these chronic medical problems. We at Nithra are keen on creating awareness and educating healthcare professionals on recognizing and managing common sleep disorders and offering certification programs in Sleep Medicine.
Nithra was accredited by The Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University for training candidates for a one-year post-doctoral fellowship in Sleep Medicine. The Fellowship program was the first University-accredited specialty training certification in Sleep Medicine but has been currently discontinued.
Fellowship in Sleep Medicine
Accredited by the Indian Sleep Disorders Association (ISDA).
Nithra has been accredited by the ISDA for training doctors for a post-doctoral fellowship in Sleep Medicine. For further details visit www.isda.co.in
This award was introduced by Dr. Nagarajan Ramakrishnan, Director, Nithra Institute of Sleep Sciences, in 2012, in loving memory of his father, the late Professor K. L. Nagarajan. This award, along with the cash prize, is given every year to honour the best student in the “Fellowship in Sleep Medicine” exam, conducted by the Indian Sleep Disorders Association.
These courses are aimed at helping physicians develop their knowledge regarding the basics of sleep physiology, diagnosis and management of common sleep disorders, and performance and interpretation of sleep studies. These programs are customized according to the needs of the clinician, and enrolment is limited to no more than two candidates at a time to promote an interactive learning experience.
6 months -on-the-job training model.
Course Highlights
We have collaborated with other professional societies and hosted international conferences.
Sleep Medicine 2007
This conference was held in Chennai on July 7 & 8, 2007. This third annual conference of the National Association of Professionals in Sleep Medicine was endorsed by the World Association of Sleep Medicine.
Sleepcon 2009
An international conference on Sleep Disorders organized by the Indian Sleep Disorder Association (ISDA) along with Nithra Institute for Sleep Sciences (NISS) and endorsed by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and World Sleep Federation. It addressed major issues pertaining to sleep and related problems. The three-day meet program was held from April 3 – 5, 2009, at Hotel Green Park Vadapalani, Chennai, India, and facilitated the exchange of ideas and techniques to treat sleep-related ailments among more than 250 experts in sleep medicine from India and abroad.
Sleepcon 2014
The International Conference on Sleep Disorders and 10th Conference of the Indian Sleep Disorders Association was held from April 18 – 20, 2014, at Hotel Hyatt Regency, Chennai. A special feature of this conference, a workshop on ‘Sleep Disorders in Children’, was conducted for the first time, to Paediatricians and General Practitioners who take care of children.
