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Exploring the professionalization of respiratory therapy in Canada

Introduction

A recurrent challenge facing respiratory therapists (RTs) is their legitimacy as professionals. RTs are often referred to as technologists, vocationalists, or technicians and must often justify their status as full professionals rather than "professional technicians". There is currently little exploration of what it means to be a profession and the process of professionalization in respiratory therapy.

Approach

Drawing from sociological theory, the purpose of this paper is to discuss the professionalization of respiratory therapy in Canada using Andrew Abbott's theory, the "system of professions". We will use this theory as a lens to propose areas of consideration for professional development regarding two pervasive themes in the respiratory therapy community, RTs' specialized body of knowledge and professional autonomy.

Findings

Abstract knowledge is believed to be essential in the evolution from occupation to profession and is valuable to a profession in three ways: it can influence the profession's legitimacy, it can be used for conducting research, and it promotes higher education. RTs possess jurisdictional professional autonomy within Canada. The privilege of self-regulation allows RTs to act according to their knowledge and judgement without direct oversight from other professions.

Conclusion

Based on Abbott's theoretical position, RTs can rightly justify their position as professionals. However, RTs need to acknowledge that professionalization is a dynamic and continuous process that requires creative changes to innovate within the profession and support future efforts to reinforce their position as professionals. Throughout this paper, we offer suggestions for how RTs can contribute to the ongoing professionalization of respiratory therapy.

Expanding roles of the orthopaedic surgeon

Many sources predict an oversupply of orthopaedic surgeons in the United States continuing into the next 30 years. The most attractive solution to this problem is to expand the scope of orthopaedic practice by regaining direct patient access to orthopaedic specialty care, by developing and bringing new technologies and treatments to the marketplace quickly, and by developing alternatives to the typical orthopaedic practice such as expanding nonoperative care, improving the quality of the office practice, and exploring volunteer opportunities.

Occupational orthopaedics in this millennium

Treatment of musculoskeletal pain in the workplace by early return to work and prevention is the future of occupational orthopaedics. Patients who receive workers' compensation comprise 20% of the general orthopaedist's practice, 65% of a hand surgeon's practice, and 90% of the independent medical examiner's practice. To improve the treatment outcomes for patients who receive workers' compensation, orthopaedists in this millennium will need knowledge about how individual and job risk factors can combine to result in musculoskeletal pain in the workplace. This knowledge will promote the safe return of their patients to the workplace after injury. With the prediction that more than 50% of the workforce in the United States will have experienced an occupational injury or illness, it is important for orthopaedists who are treating patients with work-related injuries to understand how management of these workplace risk prevention programs will impact their patients and practice of orthopaedics. In this millennium, orthopaedists will need to know how to talk the language, interpret the information, and understand the benefits of early return to work and prevention of injuries in the workplace. The future will be about legislated prevention and healthcare in the workplace.