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Background: The use of simulation-based methods for teaching and learning in the education of health professions is increasing, but its prevalence in Saudi Arabia among respiratory therapy programs has yet to be investigated. The purpose of this study is to identify the use of simulation-based learning (SBL) in respiratory therapy programs in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed by sending Google forms survey via Email to directors of respiratory therapy programs in Saudi Arabia (N=16) to evaluate how each one used simulations as an educational tool. Results: The survey was returned with a total response of 12 out of all 16 program that were initially contacted (75% response rate). Among the respondents, approximately 75% of the programs are using SBL, while high-fidelity simulation is used by all programs. The present data show that 67% of the respiratory therapy programs has a space for simulation within the department, while 33% utilizes institutional simulation centers. For short simulation scenarios, debriefing is not conducted in 67% of the programs. There is acceptance by program directors that simulation hours should be counted towards clinical hours. About 67% of respondent programs have mandatory simulation learning activities, and 100% agree that simulations should be used more. However, lack of training and shortage of staff are among barriers to increase the use of SBL. Conclusion: SBL is commonly used and relatively varied among respiratory therapy programs. However, it requires some improvements in several aspects, including the use of debriefing and increasing the number of properly trained staff.
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Background/objectives: Respiratory muscle training (RMT) was recognized as an effective means to improve respiratory muscle (RM) strength and enhance exercise performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of low-intensity RMT on RM strength, pulmonary function, and performance. Methods: Fourteen healthy active adults were assigned randomly to either a training or placebo group. The training group completed six weeks of RMT, which consisted of a first week, 1 set of 15 min/d, 5 d/wk at 10-25% of maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), and the remaining 5 weeks, 2 sets of 15 min/d, 5 d/wk, at 30% PImax. The placebo group followed the same protocol but with almost no additional ventilatory resistance. Measurement of RM strength and endurance, spirometry, and endurance exercise performance were obtained before and after the RMT program. Results: In the training group, PImax (+14%) and maximal expiratory pressure (PEmax, +27%), forced vital capacity (FVC, +3.6%), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max, +11%), and time to exhaustion (Tlim90%, +25%) increased significantly from baseline values (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Also, no significant interaction in maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV12), minute ventilation (VE), and respiratory rate (RR) were detected. Conclusions: These data suggest that low-intensity RMT is an effective tool to improve RM strength, pulmonary elastic properties and endurance exercise performance.
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Background: Despite recent advancements in the respiratory care (RC) profession, no single institution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) offers a master's degree program in RC. Methods: A nationwide and validated survey was used to explore the current needs and interests in establishing RC master's degree programs in the KSA. The process included representatives from the healthcare industry, universities, and professional societies. Results: A total of 1250 stakeholders across the KSA completed the survey. The sample includes 722 (58%) males, 504 (40%) respiratory therapists, 547 (44%) students, 138 (11%) leaders, and 61 (5%) were academic respondents. Most respondents were from Central 491 (39%) and Eastern 307 (25%) regions, with 1003 (80%) of the total sample worked or studied in governmental sectors. A total of 574 (82%) of the leaders and RTs had Bachelor degree and 430 (61%) of them had 1-5 years working experience. According to 80% of the employers and employees, only 0-5% of the RTs in their organization had a master's degree. The calculated mean % of the agreement (agree/strongly agree) on the needs was 83% in all needs' assessment items, which shows a great support for establishing a master's in RC to meet the personal, professional and society needs. The mean % of the agreement for the level of interests among all participants was 86%, indicating a great level of interests in establishing a master degree in RC. The agreement % on the needs assessment and level of interests in establishing a master degree in RC in KSA were ≥80% in each stakeholder group. Conclusion: There are obvious needs and interests in establishing master's degree programs in RC in the KSA. A master's degree in RC should be established to address the growing needs for advanced RC services throughout the nation and enhance RC research.
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INTRODUCTION: Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may induce nasal inflammation because of mucosal compression or dryness. This study examined the impact of humidified versus nonhumidified CPAP on nasal inflammation and upper airway symptoms. METHODS: Seventeen healthy male subjects with no previous or current history of nasal symptoms were recruited. All subjects underwent 3 hours of nonhumidified CPAP at 12.5 cmH2O via nasal mask. Among the 17 studied subjects, seven returned to receive a humidified CPAP at 12.5 cmH2O via nasal mask. The nasal wash leukocyte count was assessed at baseline and after each CPAP setting. The white blood cell (WBC) count and levels of WBCs that are mononuclear cells (including lymphocytes and monocytes) were monitored. A six-point nasal score was also assessed before and after the CPAP intervention. RESULTS: The nasal wash WBC count (103/µL) and mononuclear cell level (103/µL) at baseline, on 12.5 cmH2O humidified CPAP, and on 12.5 cmH2O nonhumidified CPAP were significantly different (p = 0.016; p = 0.003). Changes in nasopharyngeal symptoms occurred in 12 of 17 subjects (70.5%) in the nonhumidified group. Participants experienced at least one nasal symptom after application of nonhumidified CPAP at 12.5 cmH2O. CONCLUSION: The present investigation suggests that humidified CPAP was not associated with early nasal inflammation and there were fewer nasopharyngeal symptoms. Further study is required to confirm the results and evaluate the impact of adding heat to the humidified CPAP system.
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INTRODUCTION: In several countries of the world, smartphone applications have been designed to contribute to the treatment of asthma. However, none of these applications has been developed in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the objective of this article is to design a smartphone application for the treatment of asthma based on the opinions of healthcare providers from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: In order to know the opinion of the healthcare providers from Saudi Arabia about the design of an asthma App, we used a purposive sampling method and conducted a cross sectional survey employing a questionnaire which was distributed through the QuestionPro.com website to all healthcare providers working in this country. The questionnaire was sent to 376 healthcare providers and the response rate was 25%. RESULTS: The data indicated that the majority of the respondents opined that the following features were important or very important in the design of a smartphone application for asthma treatment in Saudi Arabia: information about patient diagnosis (98%), primary physician access information(83%), patient satisfaction with the therapeutic process (91%), push notifications about reminder for drugs (95%), push notification for treatment of inhaler and other drugs (92%), push notifications about reminders of clinic visits and therapy sections (81%), push notifications to ask for help sending SMS to primary physician about patients' attacks (89%), pathophysiology of asthma (82%), asthma triggers (98%), drug guidelines (94%), drug side effects (93%), number of asthma attacks (98%), medication statistics (88%), visual inputs such as peak flow (91%), data to link patients to healthcare providers and to healthcare centers (82%), and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) references (72%). CONCLUSIONS: According to the opinion of the majority of healthcare providers (92%), the proposed smartphone application designed based on medical guidelines will contribute to improve the treatment of patients with asthma in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and will help to reduce the number of asthma cases that need hospitalization, and the number of asthma cases in the emergency departments of the hospitals of the Kingdom.
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BACKGROUND: Aerosolized drugs are widely used to treat and control a variety of pulmonary diseases. However, there is increasing evidence that patients are unable to use their drug delivery device correctly. The failure of aerosolized treatment is usually the result of poorly communicated instructions. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the knowledge of health-care providers in the science of aerosol drug delivery (ADD) and assess the impact of further education on their knowledge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and seventeen health-care providers attended a 4-hour educational course on ADD science. The course was conducted from June to August 2018 in Jeddah, Riyadh, and Dammam. Pre-course assessment done with a 12-item multiple-choice questionnaire. Post-course assessment was conducted after the end of course in which participants were asked to rate their knowledge of ADD on a scale of 1-10 (before and after the course). RESULTS: Sixty-six health-care providers (physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, and health educators) completed the course. The participants' clinical experience, on average (±standard deviation), was 7.6 ± 7.3 years. Clinical experience favored physicians over other groups. The precourse score for all participants was 3.2 ± 1.9 out of 12 and the postcourse score was 6.97 ± 2.7. There was a significant statistical difference between pre- and postcourse assessment scores (P < 0.05). Differences between the four specialties were insignificant (P = 0.216), without a correlation between clinical experience and preassessment scores (P = 0.202). CONCLUSION: The present data indicate that health-care providers' knowledge of ADD is completely inadequate. There is an urgent need to introduce an ADD educational package in the curricula. An annual competency-based evaluation for health-care providers is critical as well.
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OBJECTIVES: Oxygen therapy, commonly used clinically, should be administered according to the physician's prescription; however, accumulating evidence signals some degree of inaccuracy in this perspective. This study aimed to evaluate the current practice of prescription and administration of oxygen therapy. METHODS: This observational study was conducted at a teaching hospital in the Eastern province of KSA. All inpatients in general wards who were on supplemental oxygen (O2) were included. Patient's demographic data and physician's prescription items were collected from patient medical charts and the respiratory care (RC) department charts. Oxygen administration to inpatients was monitored and matched with oxygen prescriptions recorded on the medical and RC charts. RESULTS: Among 152 inpatients, 21 were on supplemental O2. Of these, 20 had written prescriptions in their medical charts, but only 18 had information recorded in the RC charts. Of the 5 items required by hospital guidelines for oxygen prescription, 30% of patients had 3 items; whereas 70% of patients had only 2 items. Mode of oxygen delivery was recommended in all physicians' prescriptions, but flow rate and FiO2 were ordered in only 30% of prescriptions. Among the 6 patients with a written record of target SpO2 range, 2 had a value outside of the target range and 2 of 6 patients had a flow rate that differed from the prescribed rate. CONCLUSION: Current practice for oxygen therapy prescription and administration was suboptimal. Nation-wide investigations and remediations of oxygen therapy practice is needed to improve patient care.
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The respiratory care (RC) profession in Saudi Arabia is over 40-year-old. Although there have been major advancements in the profession, no history and enough information are available about its development and evolvement at current. This paper describes the history and development of the field of RC and future prospects for the profession in Saudi Arabia. A comprehensive review and assessment were conducted through direct contact, interviews, and a review of existing documents in the Medical Services Division of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Health, The Ministry of Civil Services, representative hospitals, academic institutions, and other relevant texts. The data obtained were evaluated for its relevance and grouped on a thematic basis. This is currently the first paper about the history and development of the RC profession in Saudi Arabia over the last 45 years.
