Development of a respiratory therapeutics elective for fourth-year medical students

The teaching of respiratory therapeutics in medical schools has lacked structure and cohesiveness. Comprehensive, formal programs which address the clinical needs of fourth-year students in the areas of acute and non-acute respiratory therapy problems have not been reported in the literature. A report on a pilot program in respiratory therapeutics, including a development and implementation model, is presented. Prerotational and postrotational evaluations are described. Significant improvement in specific competency areas related to clinical skill areas is also reported.