STANDARD 3.

Communication

Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must use clear and effective communication techniques to provide information to support safe, competent, ethical patient/client care.

Performance Requirements

RTs:

9

Communicate pertinent information clearly and accurately to patients/clients, healthcare team members, and others through verbal, non-verbal, and/or written means.

9

Deliver information in a manner that acknowledges individual diversity and health literacy and facilitates patients’/clients’ understanding of pertinent information.

9

Demonstrate professionalism and respect in all forms of communication (e.g., verbal, non-verbal, written, social media).

9

Use information communication technologies appropriately to provide safe care to patients/clients.

9

Use appropriate techniques for the accurate, secure, and timely transfer of information to other healthcare team members.

9

Refrain from making false, deliberately misleading or offensive statements, contrary to the interests of the public or the honour and dignity of the profession, whether orally or in writing.

9

Abide by privacy legislation and understand when it is appropriate to share, what information may be shared, and to whom it must be shared.

9

Document every patient/client interaction in a timely manner, using the most suitable format.

Patient / Client Expected Outcome

Patients/clients can expect that RTs communicate clearly and professionally when providing care.

RELATED RESOURCES

College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca.
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). Use of Social Media by Respiratory Therapists Fact Sheet. . Available at: https://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/FactSheets/SocialMedia.FS-105.pdf.
National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2016). National Competency Framework for the Profession of Respiratory Therapy. Part 1. National Standards for Entry-to-Practice. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/download/ncf-part-i-entry-to-practice-2016/
National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2024). National Competency Framework. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/national-competency-profileframework.
Personal Health Information Protection Act, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. A (Can.). Available at: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/04p03.

GLOSSARY

Appropriately refers to in accordance with ethical, legal, technical and/or clinical requirements of professional practice.

Communicate refers to “the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, feelings, or messages between individuals or groups using verbal, non-verbal, written, or visual methods.”[1]

Competent refers to “the ability to consistently and effectively apply the requisite knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and professional behaviour to provide safe, ethical, and effective patient care.”[2]

Healthcare team refers to “peers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals (regulated and non-regulated)”.[3]

Patient/client refers to individuals and their families requiring care or services. This may also include their substitute decision-maker or guardian.[4]

Professional / Professionalism refers to the “conduct, behaviours, and attitudes expected of individuals in the healthcare field that are essential for maintaining trust between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring high-quality care, and upholding the integrity of the profession.[5]

Timely refers to actions, interventions, or responses that are carried out within an appropriate or necessary timeframe to achieve the best possible health outcome.”[6]

Related Standards

$

S2. Collaboration/Interprofessional Collaboration

$

S7. Documentation & Information Management

$

S10. Patient/Client Assessment & Therapeutic Procedures

$

S11. Privacy/Confidentiality

$

S12. Professional Boundaries/Therapeutic & Professional Relationships

FOOTNOTES

Adapted from Dictionary.Com. (2017). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/communicated
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca
College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca
Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2010). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca
Adapted from College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2017). Conduct Counts! Available at: http://www.crto.on.ca/pdf/Conduct/Conduct_Counts_02-2017.pdf
Merriam-Webster. (2016). Online Dictionary. Available at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/timely