By entering the field of respiratory therapy, one is entering a growing field of opportunity. There are continually emergent job opportunities in this field whereas there is also a rise of growth in the technology and developments in the field such as medicines, techniques, and other aspects. Respiratory therapy refers to both a subject area within clinical medicine and to a distinct health care profession. During the 20th century, there were many health care fundamental transformations. Here are 10 possible predictions of what may occur in the future of respiratory care: (1) Less focus on raising PaO2 as a primary goal in managing patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure. (2) More attention to the adequacy of tissue oxygenation in such patients, irrespective of PPaO2, and the emergence of "permissive hypoxemia," analogous to permissive hypercapnia, in managing them. (3)
Smarter monitors that display information less but process it more, while interacting directly with ventilators and other devices to modify therapeutic interventions. (4) Increased use of and expertise with noninvasive ventilation, with a corresponding decrease in intubations and complications, in treating patients with acute exacerbations of COPD. (5) Increased use of triage in the intensive care unit, including earlier determination of the appropriateness of maximal supportive intervention. (6) Greater use of protocols in patient assessment and management, in all clinical settings. (7) Increased awareness of, expertise in, and resources for palliative care, with a more active and acknowledged role for respiratory therapists. (8) Accelerating progress in smoking cessation and prevention, and in early detection and intervention in COPD, led by the respiratory care profession. (9) An increasing presence and impact of respiratory therapists as coordinators and care givers in home care. (10) A continued and enlarging role for the journal RESPIRATORY CARE
References: Entrez PubMed- Analysis of contemporary and future respiratory therapy. Retrieved December 15, 2004 from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Job Outlook – American Association of Respiratory Care. Retrieved December 15, 2004 From http://www.aarc.org/career/be_an_rt.asp Respiratory Therapy : School of Allied Medical Professions. Retrieved December 15, 2004 from http://amp.osu.edu/future/rtherapy.cfm Roadmap for Medical Research. Retrieved December 15, 2004 from http:// Respiratory-care.advanceweb.com/common/editorial The Future of Respiratory Care. Retrieved December 15, 2004 from http:// www.rcjournal.com/contents/07.01/07.01.0705.asp