The role of respiratory care practitioners in a changing healthcare system: emerging areas of clinical practice.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate shifts in respiratory care practice in the context of changing healthcare system and market dynamics.


METHODS
Telephone survey, structured interview, and case studies.


METHODS
We conducted a telephone survey of 471 respiratory care practitioners (RCPs), drawn from the membership database of the American Association for Respiratory Care. We also interviewed 10 employers of RCPs and conducted 2 in-depth case studies to supplement our survey results. We used several statistical techniques to analyze our data, including calculation of population-weighted descriptive statistics and multivariate regression models.


RESULTS
Changes in the healthcare system have prompted RCPs to broaden their practice settings, skills, and responsibilities. Respiratory care practitioners are taking part in managed care-related activities, such as cost control and disease management. We found that the need for certain skills and responsibilities varies by practice setting. In our interviews, employers considered RCPs cost effective providers for certain services.


CONCLUSIONS
The practice of respiratory care is evolving to meet the changing needs of the healthcare system. A key challenge is to ensure appropriate growth and development of the respiratory care profession, as well as the delivery of appropriate services under new care management settings and processes.
Gaylin
D S
DS
The Lewin Group, Fairfax, VA, USA.
Shapiro
J R
JR
Mendelson
D N
DN
Levinson
J
J
D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D012380:Role; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013689:Telephone; D014481:United States