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| Perspectives of Respiratory Therapy Program Directors Regarding Degree Advancement Initiatives Amidst Workforce Shortages in the United States |
Sandra K. Collins, PhD, Richard C. McKinnies, PhD, Kellie D. Whittington, PhD, Stacey McKinney, MSEd, Thomas Shaw, MBA, PhD, Jessica Cataldo, PhD
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Abstract:
COVID-19 previously brought well-publicized attention to the shortage of ventilators. Not as widely reported was the significant shortage for respiratory therapists who specialize in ventilator treatment. Training for these health care professionals is initiated in academic programs specializing in respiratory therapy. However, new accreditation initiatives may change the academic landscape through the escalation of degree requirements making bachelor-level preparation the entry-level expectation. A survey was sent to respiratory therapy program directors in academic institutions within the United States to measure the perceptions regarding degree advancement initiatives and workforce impact. A total of 425 surveys were distributed with 112 responses. Publicly available data on current workforce shortages were analyzed to supplement survey data. Descriptive statistics were calculated for quantitative data, while qualitative survey data were analyzed using thematic analysis. A summary of key findings of the study include the pandemic increased the focus on respiratory therapists and their role importance; there are but a mere scattering of respiratory therapy programs in the United States that currently offer a degree at or above an associate's degree; and program directors from respiratory therapy programs in the United States largely perceive degree advancement initiatives as a positive development. However, they also expressed concern that these initiatives might worsen the already evident workforce shortages of respiratory therapists.
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