Focus is on collaborative teaming with other health care providers. Emphasis is on critical thinking, prioritizing, and decision making. Students also explore communication and medical ethics issues using care design models. Topically, this course integrates the principles of gas physics, chemistry, and microbiology with clinical principles of medical gas therapy, aerosol therapy, and infectious diseases. Students will collect, analyze, evaluate, and interpret clinical data to determine a respiratory care plan.
Students become familiar with cardiopulmonary diseases and diagnostic evaluations.
Bedside testing, patient assessment, and pharmacologic interventions are key components of this course. Included in the lecture and lab format, are physician led discussions and clinical rounds. Clinical activities are directed so that students gain familiarity with adult and child acute care and rehabilitation. Students develop competencies in oxygen therapy, aerosol and humidity therapy, and pulmonary volume expansion. Emphasis is on identifying objectives, and assessing patient response to treatment.