A look toward the future

There will be many changes in the sleep field in the next 5 to 10 years. These will include increments in our knowledge of the basic neurobiologic mechanisms driving sleep and the impact of sleep loss on general health. The technology used in the sleep laboratory will likely change as well, leading to a larger range of available tests and new ways to conduct standard ones. Finally, as the knowledge base in sleep increases, the expertise required to practice sleep medicine will rise, leading to a better-trained, more focused practitioner.