Dialectical Journal – Role of respiratory therapists in
multidisciplinary teams
Source Material
Respiratory therapists (RTs)
are collaborating with
multidisciplinary teams
towards prevention of
diseases and promotion of
health.
The role of RTs is expanding
significantly from the
traditional hospital setting
into the community. This
include asthma and COPD
clinics, community based
pulmonary rehab and
community health centers.
Within the multidisciplinary
team, RTs provide support
to the patients including
COPD management.
RTs and RNs work together
to assess, treat and support
patients suspected to suffer
from COPD.
Respiratory therapists and
Page Respond, Analyze, & Evaluate
83 Very true. RTs specializes in the treatment of clients
with respiratory issues. They work in collaboration
with multidisciplinary team, including physicians,
nurses, social workers, among other clinicians, to
help in prevention and management respiratory
diseases and promote overall health. RTs further
play a crucial role in promotion of healthy lifestyles
to mitigate the onset of respiratory illnesses.
83 Definitely, RTs roles have changed significantly.
This expansion is positively impacting on the
respiratory health outcome. Similarly, RTs are able
are currently in a position to reach a wider
population of the patients that might not have easier
accessibility to specialized respiratory care, such as
those in COPD clinics, community health centers
among others.
83 Indeed, RTs provide support to patients when
working in a multidisciplinary team. With their
specialized expertise, RTs closely work with team
members in multidisciplinary to develop and
implement a comprehensive care plan for patients.
They can aid to assess lung function, develop
customized treatment plans, and monitor progress
with time. Furthermore, RTs offer different
respiratory therapies like oxygen therapy,
nebulization, and pulmonary rehabilitation to
improve lung function and quality of life.
83 Again RTs and RNs are key members in a
multidisciplinary teams. While RTs bring specialized
expertise in respiratory care to the team, RNs offer a
broader perspective on patient care. This include
medication management and coordination of care
across healthcare setting. RNs and RTs work
together to develop customized treatment pans, and
monitory patients’ progress over time. Similarly,
they provide a range of interventions as well as
patient counseling on disease management, such
smoke cessation, exercise and environmental
modification. Thus, RTs and RNs collaboration
improves patient outcome and reduces
hospitalizations.
83 That is correct. RTs and RNs may ask patients about
Page 1
 Dialectical Journal – Role of respiratory therapists in
multidisciplinary teams
registered nurse review
health history and risk
factors.
RTs among other 83
multidisciplinary team
members respect that factors
such as health determinants
impact on one’s wellbeing.
RTs approach to COPD
management include peer
support initiative that
provides clients with more
experience living with
COPD.
Peer support in addition
education reduces the
patient’s feelings of isolation
and fear, particularly when
they are sharing their
experience and successes
with each other.
the lifestyle habits or exposure to environmental
pollutants or irritants, family history of illnesses
among other relevant medical conditions. This data
aid in assessment of the patient’s risk for
development of an illness and offer appropriate care
and treatment.
Yes, very true. RTs among other care providers in
multidisciplinary team under that the different
factors like social determinants significantly impact
on a person’s overall wellbeing. Determinants are
factors in which individuals are born, grow, live,
work and age, and how these conditions can impact
their health outcome. For instance, economic
stability, education, healthcare accessibility, social
support and community safety. RTs recognize that
resolving social determinants is critical for effective
and holistic care to patients with respiratory
illnesses. By comprehending the unique challenges
and circumstances that patients face, RTs work with
them in developing personalized care plans
addressing certain needs.
83 Indeed it is true. Though peer support initiatives are
not universally supported by RTs, majority recognize
the benefits of integrating them in COPD
management. For instance, RTs may connect
patients with COPD to others with similarly
experiences and lives with the disease. The program
offers opportunities for patients to share their
experiences, discuss dealing states as well as
emotional support another. Furthermore, peer
support help clients feel less isolated, more
motivated to manage their condition and better
equipped to handle the challenges of living with
respiratory issues. In some instances, RTs may work
with peer support specialists that are trained to
provide emotional and practice support to
individuals that live with COPD.
83 Yes, that sounds right. Living with respiratory issues
can be quite isolating and stressful, and clients may
experience fear and anxiety concerning their
condition. Nevertheless, connecting with who have
similar experiences, patients may find comfort in
knowing that they are along in their struggles. Peer
support programs offer a safe and support
environment for patients in sharing their experiences,
Page 2
 Dialectical Journal – Role of respiratory therapists in
multidisciplinary teams
RTs play a critical role in 83
providing pulmonary
rehabilitation to more
persons in the community
RTs share knowledge on 83
COPD treatment and
lifestyle changes that prevent
any damages
Working in silos hinders 84
RTs institutional effort to
offer comprehensive health
and wellness care
Effective communication 84
and smoother transitions in
care setting are key to
overall wellbeing of the
patients.
discussing their concerns and learning from one
another. Such programs may also help patients in
celebrating their successes and providing
encouragement to one another. Clients that
participates in peer support program may be more
motivated to follow their treatment plans, adhere to
their medication and engage in self-care activities
that can improve their respiratory health. Generally,
peer support and education is an effect approach to
management respiratory issues and help individual
help connected, support, and informed concerning
their condition.
Indeed, it is true. RTs play an important role in
providing pulmonary rehabilitation to ore persons in
the community. RTs are trained to assess and treat
persons with respiratory conditions, and they play a
crucial role in designing and implementation of
pulmonary rehabilitation programs for clients. They
develop individualized care plans that addresses each
patient’s unique needs and goals, thus improving
their overall health and quality of life.
Very true. RTs are experienced in respiratory issues
and are trained in different treatment modalities
including oxygen therapy, bronchodilators,
corticosteroids, and pulmonary rehabilitation. They
education patients on lifestyle changes, which is
critical in management of respiratory issues.
This is accurate. Silos are separate units and
departments within an organization operating
independent of each other and mostly result in lack
of coordination and collaboration, thus hindering
effort to provide comprehensive health and wellness
care. RTs play a crucial role in the management of
the respiratory conditions, but they work as a part of
larger healthcare team including physicians, nurses,
dietitians, and among other specialists. In an effort to
provide quality care, all team members have to work
together to share information. However, working in
silos, hinders effective sharing of knowledge and
information.
How does effective communication ensure better
care? Communicating effectively ensures patients
receive appropriate are and they health requirements
are met. Patients are likely to get comprehensive and
high-quality care when they together, which include
Page 3
 Dialectical Journal – Role of respiratory therapists in
multidisciplinary teams
RTs working in community
provide improved
accessibility to care, which
include giving appointments
at different times
RTs provide access to
services that are not
traditionally the
responsibility of the RTs, for
instance initiating Meals for
patients with COPD
RTs can deliver optimal care
if they participate in
Multidisciplinary caseload
management with other
therapeutic professions like
social workers, dietitians
and physiotherapists among
sharing information and care coordination.
Additionally, smooth transitions in care setting
prevent errors, reduces the risk of adverse events and
ensure that the patients receive the appropriate level
of care at the right time. Failure to communicate
effective and poor transitions may lead to confusion,
frustration and delays in receiving the necessary
care.
85 This is accurate. When RTs work in the community,
they are able to provide care to patients in their local
area, which help to improve accessibility to care.
Particularly, this is crucial for patients with difficulty
travelling, like those with mobility issues. Similarly,
offering appoints at different times help in ensuring
that patients can receive care when it is most
convenient for them, which is essential for patients
that have to work or other commitments that
negatively impacts on appointments. RTs ensure that
clients receive the care they need in a time and
convenient manner, leading to improved patient
health outcome, increase in patient satisfaction and
better overall quality care.
85 Very true. Though the responsibility of RTs is
providing respiratory care, they mostly work
collaboratively with other clinicians to ensure that
clients receive quality care. This entail coordinating
with nutritionists, social workers, and healthcare
providers to address the broader health needs. For
instance, initiating meals for clients with respiratory
issues fall outside the conventional role of RTs,
however, it might be critical in ensuring that patients
receive the appropriate nutrition to manage their
condition. However, it is vital to note that proving
access to services that are not conventionally the
responsibility of the RTs may necessitate additional
training and resources. RTs collaborate with other
providers and leverages available resources to
provide high-quality care to patients with COPD.
85 Agreed. Respiratory therapy is a crucial component
in caring for patient with respiratory issues such as
COPD. However, management of such conditions,
mostly require a comprehensive multidisciplinary
approach involving coordination with other
providers. Working with other health professionals
allow for more holistic assessment of client’s health
Page 4
 Dialectical Journal – Role of respiratory therapists in
multidisciplinary teams

others. needs and allows one to address underlying issues

that impact on the respiratory issues. For instance,
social workers may help patients access community
resources and resolve psychosocial factors that may
be affecting their respiratory health, while dietitians
may aid patient manage their nutritional needs to
support their respiratory function.

Page 5