New GP Guideline on obstructive sleep apnoea and insomnia

The National Centre for Sleep Health Services Research recently developed an online Guideline that provides general practitioners and other primary health care professionals with evidence-based information on the aetiology, assessment, management, referral, and ongoing care for obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic insomnia. 

Call for Sleep Downunder 2023 proposals – short courses, plenary and symposium sessions

Sleep DownUnder 2023 is happening 8-11 November at the Adelaide Convention Centre, and we’re back to the full in-person format with a massive five concurrent streams! Selected plenary and symposium sessions will be recorded and made available for purchase through the ASA Learning Centre after the conference, but no sessions will be live streamed. 

Research awards open for 2023

The ASA Research Committee is pleased to announce the opening of the following Awards: 

• Rob Pierce Grant in Aid
  To facilitate a project in the field of sleep research for a new investigator (up to five years post-doctorate) who is a member of ASA or ANZSSA. Applicants should be training in sleep research or a clinical sleep discipline. Applications close Friday 19 May 2023
• Helen Bearpark Scholarship
  This scholarship is to facilitate international travel and exchange in order to develop skills in sleep research or clinical sleep medicine. Applicant must be a member of ASA or ANZSSA. Applications close Friday 30 June 2023
• Nick Antic Career Development Award 
  This award is intended to assist an ASA member to develop experience or knowledge to support their development as a leader in the field of sleep. Applications close Friday 30 June 2023
  

Applications must be submitted online via the ASA website.

The successful applicants will be announced at the annual scientific conference - Sleep DownUnder 2023 in Adelaide 8-11 November. 

New CPAP and RLS clinical working groups

The Clinical Committee is setting up two new clinical working groups and members are invited to express their interest in being involved. 

• The Provision of CPAP Therapy Practice Guidelines are overdue for review and updating. 
• A new working group will be formed to develop a practice parameter on the management of Restless legs syndrome (RLS) / Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED).

Clinical working groups are encouraged to seek scientific publication of their work, and all working group members are generally listed as authors. See the Clinical and research documents policy for more information.

All ASA committees and working groups should reflect the Diversity and inclusion policy which promotes diversity and balance of member representation. 

If you’re interested in joining one of these working groups, please send a brief CV and a paragraph describing the contribution you envisage making to the relevant group. Expressions of interest should be sent to Marcia Balzer by close of business on Friday 14 April.

Help teens prepare for a good night’s rest with Sleep Ninja®

In February 2023, the Black Dog Institute formally launched Sleep Ninja®, a free, evidence-based smartphone app shown to be effective in helping young people with sleep problems.

Philips update on defect correction

The latest clinical bulletin updates clinicians on recent developments in relation to the Philips defect correction process. Read the bulletin 

What's new in the Learning Centre?

Check out the latest offerings in ASA's Learning Centre:

• Sleep snapshots across the lifespan
  Presented by speakers from the NZ branch of the Australasian Sleep Association, this webinar expanded on the 2023 World Sleep Day theme “Sleep is essential for health” by taking the theme across the lifespan. Recorded on 17 March 2023. Free

• The ultimate paediatric year in review short course
  This short course was part of Sleep DownUnder 2022 and presents the ultimate paediatric year in review. It includes 6 hours of core paediatric sleep medicine topics, latest updates in these areas as well as refreshing background knowledge. This course is suitable for those working in the field as well as those who wish to learn more about specific areas of paediatric sleep medicine. $75 for members
• Management of less common sleep disorders in general practice: narcolepsy, RLS and REM sleep behaviour 
  This 90-minute webinar recording, offers an introduction to the challenges associated with diagnosing and managing less common sleep disorders in general practice and the importance of working collaboratively with specialist services.  Free for members.
• Sleep in individuals with traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury
  Sleep is especially impaired in individuals who have a Traumatic Brain Injury or Spinal Cord Injury. However, sleep disorders in both groups are under-recognized, underdiagnosed, and untreated for a substantial majority of patients. This webinar recording, aims to drive an increase in awareness and improve sleep disorder management in these patient populations. Free for members

Webinar: Why Regular Sleep Timing Matters

This webinar is presented by international speaker Dr Dorothee Fischer, an emerging international leader in sleep and chronobiology and is a fellow Research Associate at the Institute for Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Centre.

It will provide insights into what we have learned about sleep regularity and highlight future directions for the sleep field. 
Date: Wednesday 5th April 2023
Time: 6pm EST time Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra
          5:30pm South Australia             
          5pm QLD
          4pm WA 

Victoria state meeting 2023

Registrations are open for the next Victoria state meeting on Friday 5 May. Block out the afternoon now to catch up with your local colleagues, and hear the latest from young researchers and three amazing keynote speakers. 

If you’re a student, advanced trainee or early career researcher (up to five years post-PhD conferral), you can apply to be part of the Victorian clinical and sleep science showcase. This session will highlight the latest cutting-edge sleep research by our local rising stars. Abstract submissions are now open and will close Thursday, 6 April. Selected authors will be notified by 21 April and a prize awarded for the best speaker.

When:  Friday 5 May, 1:30pm-6pm
Where: Amora Hotel Riverwalk Melbourne, 649 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC 3121
Cost:     Free, but registration is required

SA state meeting 2023

The next South Australian state meeting will be held on the 10 May 2023
 
As well as networking opportunities, delegates will enjoy sensational speakers; and students and early career researchers sharing their research insights.

We invite all students and early career researchers to be part of the South Australian clinical and sleep science showcase. Submissions close Friday 21 April.

Date: Wednesday 10 May, 6:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: Ayers House 288 North Terrace Adelaide, SA 5000