Just what is a respiratory therapist? It is someone who is an expert in respiratory care, someone who can provide much needed therapy to people with respiratory problems, and someone who is simply well-versed in, well, breathing health. If you've ever had to receive emergency hospital care, a respiratory therapist may have even just walked past you as they are known to provide life support and care within emergency rooms. They …show more content…
There was a conference in 2008, called “Creating a Vision for Respiratory Care in 2015 and Beyond,” and according to a May 2010 issue of the Respiratory Care Journal, The American Association for Respiratory Care sponsored a project where changes to the profession were identified as needing to happen to meet the future demands of patient care. At one time the profession was associated with Inhalation Therapy and therapists were known as “oxygen orderlies,” (AARC). Inhalation Therapists received their training while on-the-job (and licensure was not even required in any state until the 1980s).
So here is a simple answer to the question, “What is a respiratory therapist?” He or she is someone who will take care of you and your loved one's breathing! If you have seen one, are going to see one, are planning to see one, or are wanting to even become one, just go and take a deep breath of thanks to our breathing health professionals! With 8% of adults and 9.3% of children who have asthma (according to the CDC), respiratory therapists provide a much needed