Current Practice of Sleep Medicine in The Czech Republic

Prof. Bedrich Roth founded sleep medicine in our country 70 years ago. However, the inter- and multidisciplinary nature of sleep medicine developed several decades later, in the early 1990s, with the cooperation of pulmonologists, neurologists and psychiatrists. This led to the foundation of the Czech Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine Society (short title Czech Sleep Society) in 2001. At present, the Society includes 215 members and plays a leading role in the current practice of sleep medicine in the entire country. Activities include accreditation/certification procedures, educational programs, annual national meetings, the development of guidelines and recommendations for different sleep disorders, promoting research and many other endeavors. The society also collaborates with other medical societies in discussions with state health care authorities and health insurance companies. Health insurance companies cover sleep medicine care by means of a DRG system for hospitalizations, and a point system for outpatient care. The majority of sleep medicine care is centralized, and medications are largely covered (e.g. modafinil and natrium oxybate are available to patients free of charge). Positive airway pressure devices are lent to patients by health insurance companies if treatment criteria for sleep breathing disorders are met and compliance is fulfilled. The absence of acknowledged specialization or sub- specialization in sleep medicine by the Czech Ministry of Health is the main challenge to be overcome.

Keywords: Czech Sleep Society, accreditation process, education, certifications, guidelines, research, sleep medicine, health insurance.