The Science Journal of the American Association for Respiratory Care
Introduction: The first formal and school-based respiratory care educational program in Taiwan was developed in 1999. The student perceptions of educational needs of this BS program were not known. In order to understand the educational needs of the incoming student we performed a survey to all the candidates of the program.
Method: The study population was the applicant of the BS program in respiratory care. The applicant must require an AS degree in allied health profession, a certification in entry level technician training program, and at least two years working experience in respiratory care. A self-designed questionnaire was delivered to the applicant. The questionnaire included the question in applicants' characteristics, the reason why they applied the program, the educational need in the curricula, and the future plan after graduation. The questions in educational needs were rated by a five-point scale. The subject were asked to rate their perceived needs in thirty-five curriculums with 1=strongly unnecessary, 2=unnecessary, 3=no opinion, 4=necessary, 5=strongly necessary. To analyze the data, we used percentages, mean, and standard deviation.
Result: We distributed the questionnaire to sixty applicants and received 43 usable returns (71.7% response rate). The mean age of the subject was 30 ± 5 years old. Forty (93%) respondents were RN in Taiwan and one respondent (2.3%) had passed CRTT examination. The major reasons for applying the program were intent to enhance professional knowledge and ability (n=35, 81.4%),and acquire a higher degree (n=14, 37.8%). Only very few subjects chose expecting to get promotion (n=3, 7%),or finding a better job (n=4, 9.3%) after graduation as the main reason for applying the program. Sixteen curriculums were rated into the two positive response (choosing 4 &5) by more than 90% of the subject which are listed in the Table. Some basic science (i.e. Chemistry, Biology) and non respiratory care related course such as Biomedical statistics, Education, Research, and Health care economics and management were thought less needed by the subject.
| Curriculum | Necessary, n(%) |
| Mechanical ventilation | 43 (100%) |
| Cardiopulmonary pathophysioloy | 43 (100%) |
| Respiratory pharmacology | 43 (100%) |
| Intensive respiratory care | 43 (100%) |
| Fundamental of respiratory care | 42 (97.7%) |
| Cardiopulmonary anatomy & physiology | 42 (97.7%) |
| Respiratory care equipment | 42 (97.7%) |
| PFT | 42 (97.7%) |
| Curriculum | Necessary, n (%) |
| Cardiopulmonary monitoring | 42 (97.7%) |
| Pediatric/neonatal respiratory care | 42 (97.7%) |
| Pulmonary rehabilitation | 42 (97.7%) |
| Lung mechanics | 41 (95.3%) |
| Long term respiratory care | 41 (95.3%) |
| Computer application | 41 (95.3%) |
| Pathophysiology | 39 (90.7%) |
| ACLS | 39 (90.7%) |
Conclusion: The BS program in respiratory care can offer a chance to let the RCPs in Taiwan enhance their knowledge and ability as well as acquire a higher degree. Most applicants prefer respiratory care related courses as the necessary curriculum. Although the courses of Education, Research, and Statistics were thought less necessary for the incoming students, we still plan to assign these courses in the program to increase their ability in these fields.
OF-99-086