Lung ultrasound in respiratory therapy: a global reflective survey

Lung ultrasound in respiratory therapy: a global reflective survey

Authors

  • Chris Sara Mathew A. Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India B. Liwa College, Abu Dhabi, UAE https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5235-3033
  • Edwin Dias Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center, Srinivas University, Mangalore, India
  • Jithin Kalathikudiyil Sreedharan University of Doha for Science and Technology, Doha, Qatar
  • Mohammed Al Ahmari Dammam Health Network, Dammam, KSA
  • Lisa Trujillo University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas, USA
  • Andrew West Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists, Canada
  • Manjush Karthika Liwa College, Abu Dhabi, UAE https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5032-9283

Keywords:

Respiratory therapists, Lung Ultrasound, Survey, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

Abstract

Background: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive point of care diagnostic tool used to assess the presence and severity of various lung disorders for more than two decades. Within the healthcare professionals are the respiratory therapists (RTs) who play a vital role in managing ventilated and other patients requiring respiratory support, but the incorporation of LUS into their scope of practice has not been well highlighted. This international cross-sectional survey was specifically designed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of RTs with respect to LUS. Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was conducted among RTs from different parts of the world using a questionnaire-based study tool. 514 RTs responded to all the questions and were considered for statistical analysis. Descriptive statistics, Analysis of variance, Fisher’s exact, Chi-square, Bonferroni post-hoc analysis, and Binomial logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the significance of the data. Results: From 22 countries, 514 RTs responded to the survey, with the major share from the middle eastern countries. Out of the 514 responders, 44.9% of the responders were in the age group of 23-30 years; 67.1% were bachelor’s degree holders; and 40.9% of participants had more than 10 years of experience. The knowledge-based questions revealed that RTs with higher experience and academic qualification provided more positive responses. While in the attitude-related domain it is observed that standardized training in LUS helps them to enhance the current practice and to add LUS to the academic curriculum of respiratory therapy schools; however there remains barriers to practice LUS based on their responses. The practice-based questions revealed that RTs expect some additional seminars/workshops/webinars to be done on LUS frequently. More than half of the participants are found to be knowledgeable with a positive attitude and working towards the inclusion of LUS in respiratory therapy profession. Conclusion: It is concluded that respiratory therapists have a positive attribute towards the inclusion of lung ultrasound in their clinical practice. Providing more structured training for professional respiratory therapists and including lung ultrasound modules in the respiratory therapy school curriculum may facilitate mastering their diagnostic skills, thereby expanding the scope of practice.

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Published

02-07-2024

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Original Research Articles

How to Cite

1.
Mathew CS, Dias E, Kalathikudiyil Sreedharan J, Al Ahmari M, Trujillo L, West A, et al. Lung ultrasound in respiratory therapy: a global reflective survey. Multidiscip Respir Med [Internet]. 2024 Jul. 2 [cited 2024 Nov. 13];19(1). Available from: https://mrmjournal.org/index.php/mrm/article/view/980