Establishing research priorities for the Respiratory Therapy profession in Canada: A modified Delphi study.

Abstract

Background: Respiratory therapists (RTs) play an important role in delivering care across diverse clinical settings. However, the research questions guiding the profession remain underdeveloped and often shaped by external professions. To address this gap, we conducted a national Delphi study to identify research priorities directly informed by the RT profession in Canada.

Methods: We used a modified Delphi method, informed by a prior qualitative study, which aimed to identify and prioritize research needs across RT practice domains. We developed and distributed a list of 74 research items categorized into four domains to RTs across Canada through two rounds of online surveys. Consensus for items was defined as ≥70% agreement in Round 1 and ≥80% agreement in Round 2. Subgroup analyses were conducted by primary practice setting.

Results: In Round 1, 286 participants reviewed 74 items and identified 11 (14.8%) as priorities. After incorporating open-ended feedback, some statements were combined, resulting in 53 statements carried forward. In Round 2, 165 participants reviewed 53 items and identified an additional 11 items (20.7%) as important. These topics reflect the breadth of RT practice, including airway management, rapid response teams, personalized ventilation strategies, and system-level contributions. Workforce sustainability issues such as burnout, staffing ratios, and retention were also identified. Subgroup analyses revealed meaningful variation in research priorities across different practice areas in Round 1 and 2.

Conclusion: This study presents a profession-driven research agenda for respiratory therapy in Canada. These findings can inform future research, continuing professional development, and policy advocacy aligned with the profession's evolving roles and contexts.