The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every aspect of life since being declared a national emergency by the President of the United States in March 2020.1 In 2022, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose many challenges to health care institutions, including health care education programs. Respiratory therapy (RT) educational programs have experienced many changes in course delivery and clinical education. Due to concerns regarding conservation of personal protective equipment (PPE), infection transmission, and high patient volumes, hands-on patient care clinical education in almost all health care settings was restricted and even prohibited starting in early 2020. The Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC) has released regular updates regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on RT education.2 CoARC has consistently advocated for the continued provision of high-quality RT education that meets accreditation standards but has also allowed programs the flexibility to make necessary modifications to ensure the health, safety, and security of students and faculty. Specifically, CoARC has encouraged programs to carefully consider the appropriate uses of clinical education alternatives, including simulation and telemedicine.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine had been shown to reduce health care costs and improve health care outcomes, including access, utilization, adherence, and quality of life.3 The COVID-19 pandemic sparked significant growth in the utilization of telemedicine virtual care as a safe alternative to in-person care. In addition to providing patients with access to care, telemedicine addresses concerns related to PPE conservation and increased workload for health care providers, including respiratory therapists. Telemedicine in critical care has been utilized for several years in limited capacity and largely without RT involvement. Pierce et al4 describe the expansion of an existing tele-ICU service to include 24/7 coverage by respiratory therapists very early in the COVID-19 pandemic. The tele-ICU …
Correspondence: Sarah M Varekojis PhD RRT RRT-ACCS FAARC. E-mail: varekojis.16{at}osu.edu
