Distance learning and the internet in respiratory therapy education.

Background: The profession of respiratory therapy (RT) continues to grow both in number, due to population growth and an ever-increasing aging population, and scope of practice, due to both new and expanded roles and responsibilities in divergent areas of clinical practice. Instructional technology, including distance learning, will probably play a key role in training, educating, and assessing RT students to meet the increasing demand for practitioners.

Objective: To assess current uses of distance learning and opinions concerning the appropriate use of distance education in RT education programs nationwide.