Good sleep is a medical necessity, along with breathable air, clean water, reliable shelter and nutritionally dense food. And supporting the conditions that make people feel safe, peaceful and calm enough to rest takes everyone’s effort.
But this isn’t just a clinical matter. Ensuring quality sleep also relates to medical ethics.
The October issue of AMA Journal of Ethics® (@JournalofEthics) investigates how sleep is a communal natural resource and a basic physiological need that deserves our ethical attention and stewardship.
The AMA Journal of Ethics is an editorially independent, peer-reviewed journal devoted to helping students and clinicians navigate ethical decisions in service to patients and communities. The October issue of AMA Journal of Ethics includes the following articles.
“Who Should Talk to Patients and How About Whether They Have Access to Sufficient, Quality Sleep?”
- Poor sleep affects nearly every organ system and influences many morbidity and mortality causes, so screening for sleep sufficiency and quality should be prioritized.
“When Should Pharmacological Interventions for Insomnia Be Recommended?”
- Behaviorally induced insufficient sleep syndrome can exacerbate morning side effects of prescription sleep aids, and there are potentially serious long-term risks.
“Neuroscience at the Core of a Sound Sleep Health Curriculum”
- Neuroscience should be at the core of a sound sleep health curriculum, especially in early classroom-based medical education.
“Why Does the History of Circadian Rhythms Matter for Sleep Today?”
- A paradigm shift in circadian science is underway, exposing ethical tensions from a legacy of pervasive neglect of circadian disorders.
Listen and learn
The journal’s September “Ethics Talk” podcast features a discussion with Lauren Hale, PhD, professor in the Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, about sleep health and how we can all sleep better.
The October issue also features four author-interview podcasts. Listen to previous episodes of the “Ethics Talk” podcast or subscribe in iTunes or other services.
Also, CME modules drawn from this month’s issue are collected at the AMA Ed Hub™ AMA Journal of Ethics webpage.
The next issue of the journal will focus on peace in health care. Apply to be an AMA Journal of Ethics editorial fellow or senior editorial fellow and help design a theme issue.
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