CHEST Guidelines-Introducing-the-Advanced-Practice-Respiratory-Ther

Introducing-the-Advanced-Practice-Respiratory-Ther

Pdf Summary

The article highlights the emergence of the Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist (APRT) role in response to the increasing demand for specialized cardiopulmonary care, accentuated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Traditionally, Registered Respiratory Therapists (RRTs) have pursued non-clinical postgraduate education, but the APRT position now allows them to advance clinically while leveraging their existing expertise in cardiopulmonary care. The APRT serves as a new Advanced Practice Provider (APP), equipped to diagnose and treat cardiopulmonary diseases under physician supervision, requiring skills in complex problem-solving and critical clinical decision-making.<br /><br />The development of the APRT role has been supported by the American Association for Respiratory Care, alongside the National Board for Respiratory Care and the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC), which have established accreditation standards. Ohio State University currently offers the only CoARC-accredited Master of Respiratory Therapy degree program in the United States.<br /><br />The APRT role aims to address the impending physician shortage projected by the Association of American Medical Colleges, which anticipates a deficit of up to 140,000 physicians by 2033, with APP roles expected to double in response. APRTs enhance healthcare teams by expanding patient access to needed care, improving continuity of care, and reducing costs. Surveys of physicians in related specialties indicate strong support for integrating APRTs into healthcare teams, highlighting their potential to improve healthcare outcomes.<br /><br />To fully realize the APRT's potential, the article suggests advocating for their inclusion in healthcare settings, creating distinct roles for them, encouraging current RRTs to advance to APRTs, and supporting legislative and reimbursement initiatives. By doing so, APRTs can significantly contribute to the delivery of efficient and effective patient care, particularly in cardiopulmonary specialties.

Keywords

Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist

cardiopulmonary care

COVID-19 pandemic

Advanced Practice Provider

Ohio State University

physician shortage

healthcare teams

American Association for Respiratory Care

Master of Respiratory Therapy

healthcare outcomes