admin 
Respiratory care is a valued field in the medical profession as it involves assistance in the breathing process. When looking for pulmonary care services, it’s important to understand the differences between two key professions within this essential field of medicine: pulmonologist and respiratory therapist. This blog aims to show you some differences between both professions in the field of pulmonary care services.
Pulmonologist vs. Respiratory Therapist: Roles.
Roles of A Pulmonologist.
A pulmonologist is a specialist in diseases affecting the lungs, throat, and respiratory tract. Pulmonologists handle serious respiratory conditions such as:
- Severe asthma
- Bronchitis
- Lung disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cystic fibrosis
- Emphysema
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Sleep apnea
In dispensing their roles, pulmonologists may consult with members of other specialties such as cardiologists, pathologists, and nurses. Some of the major roles and expectations include delivering physical examinations, recommending and evaluating lab tests and imaging, administering medicine, and carrying out biopsies. In some instances, pulmonologists may also establish a specialty in certain diseases or vulnerable demographic groups, for instance, childhood or aged rescuing pulmonary disorders.
Roles of a Respiratory Therapist.
Respiratory therapists are healthcare professionals who assist in the treatment, management, and support of patients with breathing disorders. They are licensed for diagnosing, treating, and caring for patients with respiratory problems, such as asthma, COPD, and lung disease. In the provision of pulmonary care services, the duties of a respiratory therapist include:
- Give a detailed description of various treatments that are available to the patient
- Setting up and running mechanisms that support the breathing of the concerned patients.
- Maintaining and calibrating respiratory therapy equipment.
- Supervising patient’s physiological cues in connection to therapy
- Interpreting written prescriptions and checking arterial blood gas levels.
- Coordinating with other persons in the health care profession.
- Providing emergency respiratory care to affected patients.
- Maintaining patient records
Pulmonologist vs. Respiratory Therapist: Work Environments
Pulmonologists and respiratory therapists work in various settings. Pulmonologists often work in:
- Intensive care units (ICUs)
- Pulmonary medical practices
- Multidisciplinary group practices
- Sleep labs
Respiratory Therapists also work in some of the same environments as pulmonologists, but also commonly in:
- Hospitals that provide medical and surgical care
- Nursing care facilities
- Home healthcare services
- Outpatient care centers
- Doctors’ offices
Education and Training Requirements
Compared to Respiratory Therapists, becoming a pulmonologist requires extensive education and training. These educational and training requirements include:
- Four-year bachelor’s degree.
- Four years of college or university dedicated to studying medicine.
- Three years of residence in internal medicine.
- Two-to three-year fellowship in pulmonology.
These requirements translate into at least up to college level with at least 13 years of training.
On the other hand, to be a licensed respiratory therapist, one has to have at least passed an associate degree from an accredited institution awarding programs approved by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC). This requirement typically takes two years to complete an associate program, however, some programs could be completed in as little as 20 months.
Despite the differences in roles and responsibilities, working environments, and education and training requirements, both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists significantly contribute towards effective pulmonary care services for affected patients.
Upgrade your Lungs Health With Pulmonary Care Services from Friendswood Community Hospital in Texas.
At Friendswood Community Hospital, we value the contributions of both pulmonologists and respiratory therapists to ensure that our pulmonary care services are dedicated and personalized toward the specific needs of each patient. Get in touch today to experience the difference between expert pulmonary care services at Friendswood Community Hospital, Texas.
