Being a Subject Matter Expert in the Field of Respiratory Care: A Less-Traveled Path

According to the business management strategy Six Sigma, the subject matter expert (SME) is the individual who exhibits the highest level of expertise in performing a specialized job, task, or skill within an organization. SMEs are often asked to review, improve, and approve technical work, guide others, and teach. In the medical field context, SMEs are often called upon to work on transition programs, new computer-based electronic health record projects, or medical-legal reviews (up to and including giving expert testimony in court) about standards of care and best practices. Research-related projects concerning adaptation of equipment, pharmaceutical research (how a particular drug may affect lung function), or protocols as relating to the field of respiratory care also are an area of investigation.

In respiratory care, medical record review and disease management also can be part of the work of an SME. As experts in the field, we learn to use our diverse training and assessment skills for all people—from newborn to geriatric—and for the different venues in which we practice our profession (eg, acute care hospitals, home care, long-term care facilities, adult and pediatric rehabilitation hospitals, sleep laboratories).

Doing research and determining the standards of care in your community allows for an SME to understand if deviations from a particular standard are a normal variation to meet the needs of the patient or if potential harm occurred as the result of a therapist’s actions. This also includes written reports, depositions from lawyers and interested parties, and in-person testimony in a court of law. Respiratory care is not practiced the same in all states due, in part, to the practice and licensing acts of the 48 states that regulate our profession (two states do not have formal certification, or licensing boards).

Alan Roth, MS, RRT-NPS
Steering Committee Member
Allied Health NetWork