Attitudes among Practicing Respiratory Therapists in A Midwestern State toward Completing A Baccalaureate Degree and toward Distance Education

Abstract

Background

The respiratory care community has discussed the value of practicing respiratory therapists (RTs) completing baccalaureate degrees, but no study has identified how many RTs want a baccalaureate degree, their desired degree majors, or how RTs want academic courses delivered.

Methods

A random sample of 500 licensed RTs in a Midwestern state were mailed a questionnaire requesting information about their baccalaureate degree status, desire to complete a baccalaureate degree, course delivery options, attitudes and beliefs toward distance education, and demographic data.

Results

A 74% response rate was obtained. Sixty-four percent of the sample wants, is matriculating toward, or already has a baccalaureate degree. Of the survey respondents lacking a baccalaureate degree, 55% wanted the degree, and 83% of those wanted to matriculate within 5 years. The desired degree majors were management (33%), science (29%), advanced practice (29%), business (26%), and teaching (22%). Respondents wanted degree programs to grant experiential credit and offer part-time, evening, and weekend courses within 40 miles of their homes. Sixty-eight percent of degree seekers had positive intentions toward using distance education. The variables attitude and subjective social norm explained 46% of the variance. Several respondents questioned how their employers would value a degree earned via distance education and whether they could master the course content via distance learning. The RTs who intended to use distance learning felt they would have more flexible schedules, be more likely to get more prompt feedback, and develop a closer relationship with their instructors.

Conclusions

Many RTs want a baccalaureate degree, but most of these need nontraditional education programs to accommodate their work and family obligations. Distance education can offer the desired flexibility, but few RTs have experience with distance education, and many need more information about distance education, including how their employers would value such a degree.