INTERNATIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN SLEEP MEDICINE

1. Supervisors/Committee:

Naricha Chirakalwasan, MD 
Nattapong Jaimchariyatam, MD
Prakobkiat Hirunwiwatkul, MD
Tayard Desudchit, MD
Other attending physicians at Excellence Center for Sleep Disorders; King Chulalongkorn 
Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society

2. Program Objectives:

2.1 Comprehensive understanding of knowledge, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disordered patients. The trainee should be able to communicate and effectively provide information to patients, their families, and other health professionals. 
2.2 Ability to understand and interpret sleep study
2.3 Carry out professional responsibilities, adherence to ethical principles, and sensitivity to 
patients of diverse background
2.4 Have appropriate learning and improvement of patient care
2.5 Participate in outpatient evaluations and inpatient consultations of a broad array of sleep disorders, emphasizing a multi-disciplinary approach to patients with sleep disorders.
2.6 Produce clinical research project, with the goal of publication after completion of the fellowship

3. Program Contents:

3.1 Basic science of sleep

3.1.1 Functional neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of sleep and wakefulness
3.1.2 Neurochemical regulation of sleep and wakefulness
3.1.3 Sleep stage
3.1.4 Homeostasis of body systems during wakefulness and during the different stages of sleep
3.1.5 Dream physiology
3.1.6 Circadian rhythm control and chronobiological mechanisms
3.1.7 Ontogeny of sleep from the fetus through old age
3.1.8 Role of sleep in learning
3.1.9 Altered state of consciousness and how they differ from sleep stages

3.2 Clinical Aspects of Sleep Medicine

3.2.1 Manifestation of sleep disorders in children and adult
3.2.2 Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of sleep disorders including sleep-disordered breathing; insomnia; excessive daytime sleepiness; circadian rhythm disorders; parasomnias and abnormal sleep-related movements; sleep disorders in infant, children, and adolescents; sleep disorders in older adults; sleep disorders in women
3.2.3 Develop comprehensive treatment plan for individual patients including medical therapy, psychiatric therapy, psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, CPAP therapy, BiPAP therapy, oxygen therapy, light therapy, surgical therapy, and oral appliance therapy

3.3 Clinical skill

3.3.1 Obtain an appropriate sleep history and perform a sleep-related physical exam in children and adults.
3.3.2 Formulate a differential diagnosis for all sleep disorder 
3.3.3 Perform the technical skills of polysomnographic records
3.3.4 Score and interpret polysomnographic records
3.3.5 Interpret portable sleep recordings
3.3.6 Advanced sleep-disordered breathing surgery (if ENT background) including 
Surgical correction of nasal obstruction 
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty 
Genioglossal advancement and hyoid myotomy and suspension 
Maxillomandibular osteotomy and advancement 
Laser surgery in sleep related breathing disorder 
3.3.7 Research

4. Clinical / Academic Activities:

All fellows complete 12 months of clinical training based at Chulalongkorn University. 
Clinical activities include:

4.1 Clinic/Clinical work

4.1.1 Sleep disorders clinic
4.1.2 Adult and pediatric polysomnographic interpretation
4.1.3 Inpatient sleep disorders consultation
4.1.4 Operation for sleep-disordered breathing under supervision (If ENT background)

4.2 Academic

4.2.1 Sleep Medicine Journal Club on Tuesday 8.30-10.00
4.2.2 Sleep Medicine Topic Review on Friday 8.30-10.00
4.2.3 Fundamentals of Sleep Medicine lecture course (registration is optional but strongly encouraged)
4.2.4 Activities from multiple site of multidisciplinary team: pulmonary medicine, otolaryngology, pediatrics, neurology, and dental maxillofacial surgery

5. Cost of Program: Registration fee for Fundamentals of Sleep Medicine (lecture course) (13,000 Baht)

6. Selection of Candidates: Based on Committee’s Decision

7. Accommodation: Trainees can choose to stay at the Faculty Dormitory. (Dormitory Fee: Single Room 10,000 Baht / Month , Double Room 6,000 Baht / Month)

8. Scholarship: 1-2 Scholarship / year (For ASEAN Countries)

9. Application Requirements:

All application requirements must be translated and submitted in English by a certified translator

9.1 Evidence of graduation from a nationally or regionally accredited Medical School.
to practice medicine in home nation
9.2 Evidence of certification in his/her specialty 
9.3 A copy of the applicant’s Curriculum Vitae
9.4 Documentation of an active medical practice affiliation with a national or regional medical facility in home nation.
9.5 Evidence of financial support from the affiliated medical facility for the study visit
9.6 Evidence of financial support for travel and personal expenses during the training period.
9.7 A 1-2 page letter describing the existing state of affairs of the practice of sleep medicine the home country, detailing the applicant’s professional experience and reason(s) why the candidate is interested in sleep medicine. This information will be provided to the host center to initiate the development of the fellowship curriculum
9.8 A valid passport from the home country and eligibility to obtain a visa to travel to Thailand if selected.

10. Application Process: 

• Download application form here
• Submit the application and supporting documents to Email: smedsuk@md.chula.ac.th

or by post to:

Graduate Division, Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University, RAMA 4 Road,
Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330

11. Period of Application: …………………………………….

12. International Student Regulation:

Before enrollment, all international trainees are required to show adequate proof of health insurance coverage.

13. Further Information Contact:

International Program Coordinator
Graduate Division, Faculty of Medicine
Chulalongkorn University, Rama 4 Road,
Pathumwan, Bangkok, 10330
Phone: 66-2-256-4475
www.md.chula.ac.th
Email: smedsuk@md.chula.ac.th