Knowledge, confidence, and perception of respiratory therapists as frontliners in managing COVID-19 cases - A questionnaire survey

Background: The deadly outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has imposed many challenges to health-care professionals (HCPs). The knowledge, confidence in performing clinical skills, and psychological impact have been studied among various HCP. Respiratory therapists (RTs) are the frontliners in handling critically ill COVID-19 victims. Although being an integral part, there are no studies on RTs in COVID-19. Hence, we aim to study the knowledge, confidence, and perception of RTs in managing COVID-19. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey conducted among RTs in India. The present study was conducted from July 15, 2020, to August 1, 2020. Descriptive analysis was used to describe demographics, mean knowledge, confidence levels, perception, and psychological impact on RTs. Results: A total of 68 RTs responded with a response rate of 70.8%. Of them, 60% (41) had good knowledge, 96% (65) had higher confidence in performing required clinical skills, 98.5% (67) had a perception that RTs plays an essential role in COVID-19 care, and 98.5% (67) had a negative psychological impact. Reliability of the questionnaire was found to be in acceptable range. Conclusions: This study found that RTs in general had good knowledge and higher level confidence in performing procedure related to COVID-19. RTs perceive that the role of RT in COVID-19 is important.