Will AI Replace Respiratory Therapists?

Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Relay blood analysis results to a physician.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.