Respiratory Therapy Using Lung Ultrasonography: A Worldwide Reflective Survey

Abstract

Lung ultrasonography (LUS) has been used extensively in acute care settings for over 20 years as a noninvasive point-of-care diagnostic tool to evaluate the presence and severity of various lung disorders. When it comes to caring for patients on ventilation and other patients who need respiratory support, respiratory therapists (RTs) are essential. Despite the importance of RTs' work in acute care, the inclusion of LUS in their scope of practice has not received enough attention. The purpose of this international cross-sectional survey was to assess RTs' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding lung ultrasonography.
Methods: Using a questionnaire-based study instrument, RTs from all over the world participated in this observational cross-sectional study. 514 RTs in all answered every question and were taken into account for statistical analysis. To determine the significance of the data, descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, Fisher's exact, Chi-square, Bonferroni post-hoc analysis, and binomial logistic regression analyses were conducted.
In conclusion: RTs view the integration of LUS into their clinical practice favorably. Professional RTs may find it easier to master diagnostic skills and broaden their scope of practice if they receive more structured training and LUS modules are included in the respiratory therapy school curriculum.