Mentoring and Respiratory Care

Approximately 6 years ago, the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) established a task force to identify the evolving role of the respiratory therapist (RT). The members of this task force acknowledged the complexities of providing medical interventions along the continuum of care, and reported the knowledge and competencies required to provide safe and effective care was ever growing.1,2 This task force identified a need to plan for the transition of the RT from a bedside care provider to a professional who participates in the development of the care plan, executes that plan, and educates patients and families. In this issue of RESPIRATORY CARE, Richards and colleagues confirm the findings of the AARC’s task force by highlighting the numerous attributes required of clinicians to optimize care for patients with cystic fibrosis.3 In practice, the authors report, RTs must have an innate understanding of the pathophysiology of cystic fibrosis, familiarity with the evidence-based guidelines for care,4-6 an integral knowledge of the types and application of airway clearance techniques,7 and the ability to work collaboratively with patients and families to develop a plan of care that best meets the patient’s need. To complement clinical knowledge and technical abilities, well developed interpersonal skills assist RTs with identifying adherence barriers to daily regimens and promoting strategies to effectively manage this disease process.