The American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) kicked off its 2018 Virtual Lobby Campaign focused on Wednesday, April 11, 2018.
The three-week Campaign, which runs Apr 11 to May 2, advocates for a new Telehealth Pilot focusing solely on respiratory therapists. This pilot will gather information on both the health impact and costs associated with respiratory therapists as telehealth practitioners. It will also help demonstrate the expertise respiratory therapists bring to the health care system and their patients.
“With today’s technology, we have the tools and resources to give all patients—inside or outside the clinic—the care they need,” said AARC President Brian K. Walsh, PhD, RRT, FAARC. “Through this Telehealth Pilot, we can show Congress the immense value and need for including respiratory therapists in telehealth services. This inclusion will enhance the healthcare options available to patients, and help them receive quality care at all times.”
The AARC Political Advocacy Contact Team put together resources and tools to help Respiratory Therapists easily share their views on with Congress. New for 2018 is Phone2Action, giving RTs direct and easy access to sending messages, Facebook posts, as well as calling representatives.
More information, including tools and tips to support RTs in Telehealth, are available at the AARC’s website.
Respiratory therapists belong in Telehealth for many reasons. Thank you to everyone involved in this effort!
As a nurse, I rely on my RT’s to help manage the respiratory health of our patients. They are some of the best educators and advocates of patient health I have ever had the privilege of working with. The teach me just as much as our patients. Adding qualified RT’s to the telehealth network will aid in the population’s health management and education, and increase the number of providers to the underserviced population. I stand with my respiratory therapists!