Perspectives on Dissemination of Sleep Knowledge and Standards Across Wider Europe and Beyond, the ESRS Assembly of National Sleep Societies Experience.

Abstract

Sleep medicine and research have profound roots and traditions in Europe. Medical and health structure standards, including those related to sleep medicine, are currently regulated by respective national organisations within the European Union. However, despite this fact, the organisation and practice of sleep medicine are far from harmonious across countries, being highly dependent on national medical systems. Moreover, there is a need to involve countries outside the European Union, especially those with underdeveloped sleep medicine, whose individual needs are diverse. The current article reviews the avenues for the movement of the European Sleep Research Society's (ESRS) Assembly of National Sleep Societies (ANSS) towards improved and standardised knowledge in sleep medicine both within and beyond the EU through different activities, including the implementation of the European Examination in Sleep Medicine and the Beyond Boundaries project. Sleep knowledge dissemination, harmonisation in various countries, and advocacy for improvement of the health care system quality are the goals of the current activities.