Respiratory therapy is a relatively new profession whose origins date back to the mid-1940s. A respiratory therapist (RT) is a certified medical professional that assists in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiopulmonary issues, which are conditions affecting the heart and lungs. Examples of such conditions include asthma, emphysema, collapsed lungs, pneumonia and more. RTs provide care to patients of all ages, from infants to elderly individuals.
Respiratory therapists are often part of a multidisciplinary team and work alongside doctors and nurses to take care of a patient’s breathing.
