Respiratory Therapists Society of the Republic of China

History

 

         After the municipalities of Taipei and Kaohsiung as well as seven local cities and counties each had established a respiratory therapist association, an application was filed with the Department of Social Affairs, Ministry of the Interior on June 20, 2006 to establish a society for respiratory therapists in Taiwan, which was in accordance with Chapter 4, Article 31 of the Respiratory Therapists Act. The application was approved by the Ministry of the Interior on July 3, 2006. After holding three preparatory meetings during the same year, the society passed a resolution to hold the first general assembly of representatives on December 3, 2006 at Chang Gung University in Linkou. By that time, 10 local associations had been established with 903 members. During the assembly, 91 members voted to elect 21 board members and seven supervisors, and designated the name Respiratory Therapists Society of the Republic of China (RTSROC) for the society.

        Hsiu-Feng Hsiao, the technical director of the Respiratory Therapy Department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, acted as the board director for the first and second years. The secretariat was established at the Respiratory Therapy Department of Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, with the objectives of promoting amendments to the Respiratory Therapists Act, establishing legal bases for newly implemented home respiratory care centers, and incorporating additional respiratory therapist manpower into the operating standards of medical institutions as a requirement. Chia-Chen Chu (technical director of China Medical University Hospital), the third board director, encountered changes in the Taiwan health care system during his term. The objectives of Director Chu were to reinforce the role and status of respiratory therapists on medical teams; extend the services of respiratory therapy professionals to long-term and preventive care; promote the respiratory therapy forum in three major areas of schools, hospitals, and professional fields; and achieve a consensus of all respiratory therapists to collaboratively create a future for the respiratory therapy profession.

 

Goals

 

The purpose of RTSROC is to unite respiratory therapists throughout Taiwan to enhance their professional knowledge and skills, encourage cooperation in the development of the respiratory therapy profession, promote public health, protect members’ rights and interests, foster the common interests of members, and enhance the socioeconomic status of respiratory therapists.

 

Mission

 

  1. Propose a shared vision, core values, and mission for respiratory therapists and formulate corresponding specific strategies.
  2. Maintain and promote the common interests, rights, and welfare of respiratory therapists.
  3. Establish, promote, and maintain a standard of practice and code of ethics for respiratory therapists.
  4. Participate in the enactment and amendment of respiratory therapist-related laws and regulations.
  5. Participate in the establishment of standards for the education, examination, institutional system, and evaluation of respiratory therapists.
  6. Issue publications related to the respiratory therapy profession and conferences.
  7. Provide mediation and arbitration for business disputes involving respiratory therapists.
  8. Promote the well-being and development of member organizations.
  9. Facilitate exchange and collaboration of domestic and international academic institutions and other organizations.
  10. Promote and participate in respiratory therapist-related social services and initiatives.
  11. Provide services and consultations to government agencies or members.
  12. Handle all affairs as stipulated by relevant domestic regulations.