Respiratory Disorders is a 5-hour course that teaches students working as community paramedics to assist patients diagnosed with respiratory disorders. The course will provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of respiratory disorders, present case studies on patients with COPD and asthma, review patient education tips, and learn techniques for addressing acute-on-chronic disorders (e.g., pneumonia). The course will also explain management techniques for patients with other common chronic, sub-acute, and acute respiratory conditions. Students will participate in guided discussions, role play activities, and identification of community resources.

After completing this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the importance of self-management for patients with chronic respiratory disorders.
• Describe a community paramedic’s role in the monitoring, management, and education of patients with respiratory disorders.
• Demonstrate the strategies to employ when assessing a patient with a respiratory disorder.     
• Identify the signs and symptoms of an exacerbation of a respiratory disorder.
• Apply the principles of therapeutic intervention to management of patients with chronic respiratory disorders.

Respiratory Disorders may be taught as a stand-alone course, or as a component of NAEMT’s Community Paramedicine curriculum. This course may be offered to all paramedics and other out-of-hospital healthcare practitioners.