Contribution of the respiratory therapy professional in the care of the main respiratory diseases at the first level of health care in Costa Rica

Abstract

Objective: to establish the contribution of Respiratory Therapy professionals in applying strategies for addressing major respiratory diseases in the first level of health care in Costa Rica. Methodology: a systematic narrative review on respiratory diseases was conducted at the primary care level, focusing on the respiratory therapist's intervention in these pathologies. The search engines used included Google Scholar, SciELO, EBSCOhost, and Redalyc, covering the period from 2013 to 2023, in both English and Spanish. The descriptors used were "Respiratory diseases," "Care strategies," "Primary care," "Interventions," "Care for respiratory diseases," and "Respiratory therapy." 31 scientific articles were included and classified according to Sackett's level of evidence: one (3.2%) at level I, two (6.4%) level II, one (3.2%) at level III, twelve (38.7%) at level IV, and fifteen (48.4%) at level V. Results: the approach strategies for respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiolitis, and pneumonia are based on guidelines to standardize actions at the primary care level. This involves programs for education, the use of devices, inhalation therapy, and bronchodilators, providing a coordinated and effective response to these diseases. Conclusions: respiratory therapy plays a fundamental role in the comprehensive management of respiratory diseases. While the respiratory disease care strategy establishes the foundation for therapeutic interventions, it does not include the respiratory therapy professional at the primary level, highlighting opportunities for a more comprehensive and specific involvement in these pathologies.