The field of respiratory care has consistently adapted to meet the evolving needs of patients. From its beginnings with basic compressed gases and positive pressure ventilation, respiratory therapy has expanded to encompass sophisticated ventilation techniques, extracorporeal gas exchange, community health initiatives, and advanced pulmonary function assessments. This growth mirrors the advancements in medical knowledge and technology, with respiratory therapists continuously developing their expertise to provide optimal patient care.
Today, respiratory therapists operate at a level of complexity that was unimaginable just three decades ago. This progression underscores the critical role of Advanced Practice Programs In Respiratory Care to ensure practitioners are equipped to handle the increasing demands of the profession.
The Growing Need for Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapists
The healthcare landscape is characterized by an increasing complexity in cardiopulmonary care, juxtaposed with a shrinking availability of cardiopulmonary specialists. This creates a significant challenge in meeting the comprehensive needs of patients. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is actively addressing this issue by striving to increase the number of respiratory therapy program graduates and by providing ongoing education for practicing respiratory therapists. The current demand for respiratory therapists, with their established scope of practice, is higher than ever. However, the declining number of physician specialists focused on cardiopulmonary health, particularly for an aging population, necessitates innovative solutions that go beyond current capabilities.
This evolving scenario strongly supports the integration of advanced practice respiratory therapists (APRTs) into the healthcare system. An advanced practice respiratory therapist is a highly educated and rigorously trained healthcare professional whose scope of practice extends beyond that of a registered respiratory therapist. This expanded scope facilitates enhanced collaboration with physicians in critical responsibilities, including the comprehensive assessment, diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients suffering from cardiopulmonary diseases. Advanced practice programs in respiratory care are therefore crucial in developing professionals capable of filling this growing gap in healthcare.
Setting New Standards for Advanced Practice Respiratory Care
The journey towards formalizing the role of advanced practice respiratory therapists began in 2016 with the publication of the Standards for Accreditation of Advanced Practice Programs in Respiratory Care by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). These standards provide a clear definition of an advanced practice respiratory therapist as a “credentialed, licensed respiratory care practitioner trained to provide a scope of practice that exceeds that of the registered respiratory therapist.” CoARC further specifies that aspiring APRTs must successfully complete a graduate-level education and training program accredited by CoARC. This rigorous education ensures that advanced practice respiratory therapists are proficient in delivering advanced, evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic clinical practice and disease management. These advanced practice programs in respiratory care are built upon a foundation of evidence and are designed to cultivate leaders in respiratory medicine.
Driven by the undeniable needs of patients, the AARC collaborated with the National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) and CoARC to conduct thorough research. This collaboration included a systematic literature review to investigate the necessity for advanced practice cardiopulmonary providers, an evaluation of physician perspectives on workforce demands, and a detailed analysis of the scope of practice for APRTs. These comprehensive efforts underscore the commitment to establishing advanced practice programs in respiratory care that are both relevant and responsive to the demands of the modern healthcare environment.
The AARC recognizes its responsibility to ensure that the needs of patients served by respiratory therapists are consistently met. The development and promotion of the advanced practice respiratory therapist role, through robust advanced practice programs in respiratory care, is a vital component of a comprehensive strategy to support both patients and the respiratory care profession as a whole, ensuring a future of high-quality cardiopulmonary healthcare.
References
- Advanced Practice Standards. Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care. https://coarc.com/accreditation/advanced-practice-standards/
- Dall T, Chakrabarti R, Lacobucci W, Hansari A, West T. Update: The Complexities of Physician Supply and Demand: Projections from 2015 to 2030: Final Report. Washington, DC: Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); 2017.
- Standards for Accreditation of Advance Practice Programs in Respiratory Care. Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care, 2016. https://coarc.com/Accreditation/Advanced-Practice-Standards.aspx
