Multicompetency Needs in Respiratory Care: Results of a Survey of Respiratory Therapy Alumni and Hospital Administrators

I sought to determine (1) respiratory therapists' perceptions of their need for competencies normally associated with other professions, (2) hospital administrators' perceptions of functional combinations of health professions, and (3) the relationship of both sets of these perceptions to the hospital bed size of the employing hospital. METHOD: I mailed pretested and validated survey instruments to all 1981-1984 graduates of The Wichita State University therapist program and a second, similar instrument to all hospital administrators in the state of Kansas. RESULTS: Both groups of respondents perceived a need for therapists to be competent in skills normally associated with other professions. This was true regardless of the size of the hospital concerned. Chi-square analysis revealed no significant difference between the responses of those completing and returning the written survey and the responses of a random sample of non-respondents to the written survey who were contacted by telephone. Administrators most frequently identified as desirable nursing and physical therapy combinations with respiratory therapy. Respiratory therapists most frequently identified nursing, emergency medical technology, and medical technology as the professions in which they need additional competence. CONCLUSIONS: It would seem prudent for respiratory therapy educators to collaborate with other health care educators to identify a common professional core and to develop curricula that accommodate multicompetency needs.