Below is a comprehensive description of the Respiratory Care (RC) department that highlight:

     
1- Program Objectives

The RC Program involves a systematic study of the essential theoretical aspects, pertinent to the respiratory care profession. This is supported by a substantial degree of training in practical skills. The Program also incorporates an element of patient management and community health education. The main goals and objectives of the RC Program are:

a) To create and provide appropriate learning experiences, (i.e.  Lecture, practical, and clinical practice), which are designed to prepare a student, who wishes to pursue a career in Respiratory Care.

b) To provide the student with the necessary academic and occupational training, enabling him to achieve the recognized targets of competence, normally expected from the respiratory care practitioner.

c) To develop professional attitudes and sound working practices in the RCP graduate.

d) To encourage the student towards self-evaluation and self   improvement, (i.e. professional development), not only at the undergraduate level, but also throughout his career in the field of respiratory care.

e) To develop awareness in the RCP graduate student that the expertise acquired at PSMCHS needs to be constantly and regularly up dated and up graded to meet medical advances in respiratory care as part of a program of continuing education.

f) The RC Clinical courses are a major responsibility of the Department of Respiratory Care at PSMCHS. In addition to directing the range and structure of the various service and clinical Courses operated by the English, Science and other Clinical Departments, the Respiratory Care Department (RCD) is entirely responsible for the content, preparation, selection, production and development of the relevant teaching materials, pertaining to its professional.

2- Program Goals

In recent years, changes in the socio economic climate in developing, as well as developed, countries have influenced governments, state ministries and health departments to expand allied health care provision to their citizens. As part of this expansion in medical auxiliary services, the respiratory care practitioner is a specialized and highly trained member of the health care team.

Respiratory Care is the health care discipline that specializes in the promotion of optimum cardiopulmonary function and health. Respiratory therapists apply scientific principles to prevent, identify, and treat acute or chronic dysfunction of the cardiopulmonary system. Their knowledge of the scientific principles underlying cardiopulmonary physiology and path-physiology, as well as biomedical engineering and technology, enable them to effectively assess, educate, and treat patients with cardiopulmonary disorders. As a health care profession, Respiratory Care is practiced under medical direction across the health care continuum. Respiratory Care is specifically focused on the prevention, assessment, treatment, management, control, diagnostic evaluation, education, and care of patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Critical thinking, patient/environment assessment skills, and evidence-based clinical practice guidelines enable respiratory therapists to develop and implement effective care plans, protocols, disease-based clinical pathways, and disease management programs.

3- The Scope of the Profession After Graduation

After graduation, the respiratory care practitioners are responsible of caring for patients with deficiencies and abnormalities of the cardiopulmonary system. Respiratory care is a dynamic and exciting health profession offering many opportunities for the new graduates. Areas of respiratory care include basic care (oxygen, aerosol, and chest physiotherapy), critical care (ventilator management and physiologic monitoring), perinatal and pediatric respiratory care, cardiopulmonary diagnostics, pulmonary laboratory, home care, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

The respiratory therapist may often see a diverse group of patients ranging from the newborn and pediatric patients to adults and the elderly. Disease states or conditions often requiring respiratory care include asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive lung disease, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, infant respiratory distress, and conditions brought on by shock, emergency conditions, trauma, or post-operative surgical complications. Respiratory therapists are also involved in many specialty areas in the hospital such as newborn labor and delivery, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, pulmonary function laboratory, sleep laboratory, adult intensive care units and EKG testing. Respiratory therapists may also be employed in clinics, extended care facilities or working in home care services.

Based on the available national data that is derived from the Saudi Commission for Health Specialists (SCHS), the chances for employment is very good compared to other related health care professions.

4- Higher Education Prospect for Graduates

Graduates from the Respiratory Care program at PSMCHS can continue their higher education in areas directly related to Respiratory care and/ or related health care leadership and education fields.