By Shih-Hsing Yang, PhD, RRT, Assistant Professor, Fu Jen Catholic University, Department of Respiratory Therapy; Secretary-General, Respiratory Therapist Society of the Republic of China

With the effort of the respiratory therapists in Taiwan, the provision of high quality respiratory care in the long-term care field has been greatly enhanced. The establishment of home respiratory care companies has been recognized by the government in Taiwan and the business can be operated independently with a respiratory therapist as the employer.

The health care policy of the government has greatly promoted the long-term care industry, and as a result, respiratory therapists’ valuable skills and achievements can be extended to these facilities and into the home. Currently in Taiwan approximately 10% of all respiratory therapists work in long-term respiratory care for adults and children and it is anticipated that more respiratory therapists will be recruited in the future.

The Respiratory Therapist Society of the Republic of China Booth at the Exhibition.

Recently several exhibitions have been held by long-term care organizations, with the main purpose of providing information about long-term care resources to the public. It is an expectation that the respiratory therapist can provide long-term care, including home care, ventilator-dependent patient care, and pulmonary rehabilitation for the patients.

On behalf of our organization, including our president, council members, and students, we were pleased to participate in the Assistive Technology for Life 2017 Exhibition. During the exhibition there was significant interaction with the public and there was tremendous exposure of the capabilities and expert knowledge of the profession and practice of respiratory therapy.