The story of a young 27-year-old respiratory therapist, who is exhausted after only six years of working, demonstrates the troubling reality of a profession that is often neglected. Due to an oppressive schedule, she had to stop working. She didn’t even have time to take care of her basic needs! While this story shocked many people, at the Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec–FIQ, we are aware of the situation. Unfortunately, it’s not an isolated case.

The situation becomes even more worrisome when you find out that at the hospital where this respiratory therapist works, 43% of the jobs are vacant. Then there are the other institutions in the health and social services network institutions (RSSS)… Charlevoix, Outaouais, Montreal—all regions where the shortages are just as striking. These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. Service interruptions, contingency plans and chronically understaffed teams weaken the quality of care provided to patients. This situation represents an enormous challenge, and, in some cases, leads to the cancellation of surgeries, which seriously undercuts the government’s efforts to reduce wait lists.

With around 3,439 respiratory therapist members at the FIQ and several others who work in the private sector, in particular in clinical sleep apnea treatment, it is clear that this profession is undergoing a serious retention crisis. So, what is happening with working conditions? For far too long, we have been speaking out about exhausting schedules, a lack of early career support, insufficient recognition of the respiratory therapist role, and a college training program that has become obsolete, that no longer matches the current reality of the profession. The outcome: a high drop-out rate in training programs, as aspiring respiratory therapists often find themselves at a loss when faced with the difficulty of the program and unrealistic expectations of the workplace.

Respiratory therapists play an essential role in critical care, particularly in intensive care and emergency departments and in the management of respiratory illnesses, conditions that are increasingly common as a result of climate change. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the indispensable expertise of respiratory therapists in resuscitation units, where they monitor respiratory disorders, administer treatments and operate vital equipment for patients on mechanical ventilation. Their expertise is crucial, but it is jeopardized by intolerable working conditions.

In September 2024, the FIQ submitted a brief as part of special consultations on Bill 67, which was aimed at modernizing the professional system and broadening certain health practices. This bill contained troubling proposals, including a reduction in professional requirements for certain tasks. These include a potential authorization to perform acts reserved for respiratory therapists, such as patient assessment and medication adjustment, without the necessary training to ensure public safety. Such a measure would not only have compromised the quality of care but also endangered the health of the population. In short, complete nonsense!

That’s why it is time for action. We need to invest in respiratory therapy training and update it to reflect the current reality and guarantee working conditions that are worthy of these professionals’ expertise. We need to review the training program and fully recognize their field of practice. Pay equity must also be a priority, as must stronger clinical support to attract and retain these vital professionals.

I invite you to join us in this effort. We need your support so that the government takes the measures necessary to protect this at-risk profession. It is not only about defending a profession but about guaranteeing the safety and well being of our loved ones and community. Our respiratory therapists are on the front line and deserve our support.

Let’s demand concrete action from the government to ensure a future in which respiratory therapists can perform their profession in conditions that are respectful of their expertise and well being. Together, we make a difference.