The field of respiratory therapy is in constant evolution, adapting to the increasingly complex needs of patients. From its beginnings with simple compressed gases and positive pressure devices, respiratory care has expanded to encompass intricate ventilation strategies, extracorporeal gas exchange, community health initiatives, and sophisticated pulmonary function assessments. This progress mirrors advancements in medical knowledge and technology, driving respiratory therapists to acquire deeper expertise to effectively support patient well-being. Today, respiratory therapists operate at a level of sophistication that was considered groundbreaking just three decades ago.
The Growing Need for Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioners
The landscape of healthcare delivery is shifting, marked by a rise in the complexity of cardiopulmonary conditions alongside a concerning decrease in the accessibility of cardiopulmonary specialists. The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) is actively addressing this challenge by striving to increase the number of graduates from respiratory therapy educational programs and by facilitating continuous learning opportunities for practicing professionals. The demand for respiratory therapists, with their current breadth of skills, is undeniably higher than ever. However, the shrinking pool of physician specialists focused on the cardiopulmonary health of an aging population necessitates innovative solutions that are not yet widely available.
This pressing need has led the AARC to advocate for the integration of advanced practice respiratory therapists (APRTs) into the healthcare system. An APRT is envisioned as a highly educated and rigorously trained advanced practice healthcare professional. Their scope of practice is designed to surpass that of a registered respiratory therapist, enabling a more advanced level of collaboration with physicians. This expanded role encompasses crucial responsibilities such as assessing, diagnosing, managing, and treating patients suffering from diverse cardiopulmonary diseases.
Setting New Standards in Respiratory Care Education
The journey towards establishing the APRT role 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 define 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.” Furthermore, CoARC specifies that aspiring APRTs must successfully complete a graduate-level education and training program accredited by CoARC. This rigorous program is designed to equip APRTs with the skills necessary to deliver advanced, evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic clinical practice and comprehensive disease management.
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 included a systematic literature review to investigate the need for advanced practice cardiopulmonary providers, an assessment of physician perspectives on workforce demands, and a clear articulation of the scope of practice for this evolving profession.
The AARC remains committed to ensuring that the needs of patients served by respiratory therapists are met effectively. The development of the advanced practice respiratory therapist is a vital component of a comprehensive strategy aimed at supporting both patients and the respiratory therapy profession in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.
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.
