An examination of the role of the Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy

Our profession has undergone tremendous changes since its Canadian inception some 50 years ago. Beginning with the establishment of a course for inhalation therapy technicians at the Queen Mary Veterans Hospital and the creation of the Technical Department of Inhalation Therapy at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal (Quebec), the provision of competent respiratory care in Canadian hospitals and communities has continued to evolve to meet the changing needs of our patients (1). With this evolution, the profession has moved from being largely technical to increasingly independent in its clinical role, is almost totally self-regulated, and has established a growing number of schools within colleges and universities – a move away from having had these same schools embedded within hospitals.

Mr Jason Nickerson

A part of this transformation has always included a focus on knowledge sharing and research. In April 1965, the journal Canadian Inhalation Therapy was launched, which, over the past 48 years, became Respiratory Technology, then RRT: The Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy and, finally, today’s Canadian Journal of Respiratory Therapy (CJRT). As the Journal transitions to a new format, a new publisher and a new audience, and as the profession celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is timely for us to consider the role of research, generally, and of the CJRT, specifically, in the practice of respiratory therapy.

Today, the CJRT represents the culmination of years of work striving for the highest of publication standards in medical research. The Journal adheres to reporting guidelines for different study designs (2–4); has established a team of competent and experienced associate editors; emphasizes the ethical conduct and reporting of research; and embodies a philosophy of being helpful to authors, recognizing that many are first-time authors. This work has been performed under the guiding assumptions that the Journal is of importance to Canadian respiratory therapists and to the practice of respiratory therapy, that the research and commentary that we publish drives the profession forward and ensures better care for our patients, and that the Journal plays a central role in strengthening the capacity of the profession to conduct research and report results.

Fundamentally, the CJRT exists to challenge the assumptions that underlie the care that we provide: Is an intervention effective? Is a model of care safe? What are the impacts of a respiratory therapist in a new or expanded role? The guiding philosophy is that we, as clinicians, are constantly learning and challenging assumptions about the best ways of doing things, and the Journal exists to provide a venue for this discourse. In this context, the Journal is a vehicle, whose destination is determined by its passengers – we can provide the framework and the resources to facilitate high-quality publications, but it is ultimately up to researchers and clinicians to provide the content. Engaging clinicians and researchers to publish their results has been the single greatest challenge that we have faced and continue to face.

This raises a fundamental question for Canadian respiratory therapists and for the Journal: if we are not constantly measuring, evaluating and sharing the impact of the interventions we provide, can the profession continue to evolve?

At the Journal, we continue to view ourselves as central to the advancement and growth of the profession. By fostering the conduct and publication of respiratory therapist-led research, our intention is to push Canadian respiratory therapists to take ownership of the science that guides the interventions we perform, the care we deliver and the philosophies that guide our practice. As a small Journal, we can play a significant role in leading changes within respiratory therapy that otherwise may not happen; simply because we are small does not mean that we do not have an impact (5).

With the current issue, we continue to push forward with novel research and reviews that highlight the changing roles, science and practice of respiratory therapy. We present the results of a survey of respiratory therapists’ views, opinions and barriers to engaging in research, and a review of the roles of respiratory therapists in public health in Canada. Additionally, we present two reviews of importance to practicing clinicians focused on recruitment manoeuvres and postoperative pulmonary complications.

Going forward, we plan on being a central part of the continued evolution of the science and practice of respiratory therapy in Canada. This, however, can only be achieved by strengthening the profession’s capacity and willingness to conduct and share the results of sound research and evaluation, and to adapt to the changing needs of our patients and the health care system. The articles presented in the current issue advance this discussion and provide a reminder that as good as we are, there is still room to grow.