Standard 3 - Communications
Standard 3 - Communication
Respiratory Therapists (RTs) must use clear and effective communication techniques to provide information to support safe, competent, ethical patient/client care.
Performance Requirements
RTs:
- Communicate pertinent information clearly and accurately to patients/clients, healthcare team members, and others through verbal, non-verbal, and/or written means.
- Deliver information in a manner that acknowledges individual diversity and health literacy and facilitates patients’/clients’ understanding of pertinent information.
- Demonstrate professionalism and respect in all forms of communication (e.g., verbal, non-verbal, written, social media).
- Use information communication technologies appropriately to provide safe care to patients/clients.
- Use appropriate techniques for the accurate, secure, and timely transfer of information to other healthcare team
- Refrain from making false, deliberately misleading or offensive statements, contrary to the interests of the public or the honour and dignity of the profession, whether orally or in writing.
- Abide by privacy legislation and understand when it is appropriate to share, what information may be shared, and with whom it must be shared.
- Document every patient/client interaction in a timely manner, using the most suitable format.
Patient/Client Expected Outcome
Patients/clients can expect that RTs communicate clearly and professionally when providing care.
Related Standards
- Collaboration/Interprofessional Collaboration
- Documentation & Information Management
- Patient/Client Assessment & Therapeutic Procedures
- Privacy/Confidentiality
- Professional Boundaries/Therapeutic & Professional Relationships
Related Resources
- College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca.
- Nova Scota College of Respiratory Therapists. (2017). NSRRT Social Media Guideline. Available at: https://nscrt.com/images/NSCRT_Social_Media_Guideline.pdf
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2016). National Competency Framework for the Profession of Respiratory Therapy. Part 1. National Standards for Entry-to-Practice. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/download/ncf-part-i-entry-to-practice-2016.
- National Alliance of Respiratory Therapy Regulatory Bodies. (2024). National Competency Framework. Available at: https://nartrb.ca/national-competency-profileframework.
- Nova Scotia Regulator of Respiratory Therapy. (2015). Code of Ethical and Professional Conduct. Available at: https://nscrt.com/professional-practice/code-of-ethics
- Personal Health Information Protection Act, S.O. 2004, c. 3, Sched. A (Can.). Available at: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/04p03.
Glossary
Appropriately refers to in accordance with ethical, legal, technical and/or clinical requirements of professional practice.
Communicate refers to “the process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, feelings, or messages between individuals or groups using verbal, non-verbal, written, or visual methods”.[1]
Competent refers to “the ability to consistently and effectively apply the requisite knowledge, skills, clinical judgment, and professional behaviour to provide safe, ethical, and effective patient care".[2]
Healthcare team refers to “peers, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals (regulated and non-regulated)”.[3]
Patient/client refers to “individual, group, community or population who is the recipient of respiratory therapy services and, where the context requires, includes a substitute decision-maker for the recipient of respiratory therapy services”.[4]
Professional/Professionalism refers to the conduct, behaviours, and attitudes expected of individuals in the healthcare field. It is essential for maintaining trust between healthcare providers and patients, ensuring high-quality care, and upholding the integrity of the profession.[5]
Timely refers to actions, interventions, or responses that are carried out within an appropriate or necessary timeframe to achieve the best possible health outcome”.[6]
[1] Open AI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
[2] Open AI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
[3] College of Respiratory Therapists of Ontario. (2021). A Commitment to Ethical Practice. Available at: https://ethics.crto.on.ca/
[4] Nova Scotia Government. Regulated Health Professions Act (2023). Available at: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/regulated%20health%20professions.pdf
[5] Open AI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com
[6] Open AI. (2025). ChatGPT (May 14 version) [Large language model]. https://chatgpt.com