Sleep societies and sleep training programs in Latin America.

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To describe and compare current information about sleep societies, training programs, and requirements for certification in sleep medicine across Latin America.

METHODS

Online research was conducted from July-September 2019. Search terms and logic were established, including every region or territory in Latin America. Members of sleep societies were contacted to complete missing information.

RESULTS

There are 11 sleep societies in Latin America included in the Federation of Latin American Sleep Societies. They have varied levels of available online information. Regarding training programs, Brazil offers a sleep medicine residency and Mexico includes sleep training in the neurophysiology specialty; both countries offer sleep medicine certification. Sleep societies of Colombia and Argentina have developed their own certification processes.

CONCLUSIONS

There are remarkable differences in sleep society consolidation, training programs, available certification, terminology, regulatory entities, and requirements in Latin America, which may increase difficulties and obstacles for a multinational certification project.