This is Respiratory Therapists week.

Also known as RT’s, these medical professionals provide a vital service to patients.

Bruce Krentz, Health Promotion Coordinator with the Northern Health Region, outlines their roles here.

“They provide care to individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, TOPD, as well as those suffering from acute repertory illness like influenza.”

A respiratory therapist is a specialized healthcare practitioner trained in critical care and cardio-pulmonary medicine and work with people who have any of the conditions Krentz mentioned.

Currently, the University of Winnipeg offers a one-year program that leads into the University of Manitoba’s three-year respiratory Therapy program.