Integrating interprofessional education (IPE) into respiratory care curricula is essential for preparing students to function effectively within today’s collaborative healthcare environment. This lecture explores practical, evidence-based strategies to embed IPE across didactic, laboratory, and clinical learning experiences in respiratory therapy programs. Attendees will gain an understanding of how structured interprofessional learning opportunities can enhance communication, teamwork, and patient-centered care core competencies for the modern respiratory therapist.

This session provides educators with practical, replicable strategies to strengthen collaboration between academic programs, clinical sites, and preceptors to support a successful transition from classroom learning to clinical practice. Participants will explore methods for increasing preceptor engagement, aligning expectations across education and practice settings, and identifying gaps that impact student readiness. Attendees will be introduced to a Clinical Collaboration Summit model designed to foster meaningful partnerships between directors of clinical education, clinical educators, and preceptors. Participants will leave the session equipped to adapt or implement this model within their own organizations to enhance student transition, preceptor support, and interprofessional collaboration.

Interprofessional Simulation Camps allow students to experience respiratory therapy and other healthcare careers through simulation-based education that culminates in a fully immersive interprofessional scenario. As job shadowing becomes increasingly inaccessible and many students remain unaware of careers beyond physicians and nurses, these camps provide authentic insight that guides informed career decision-making and strengthens recruitment and retention in respiratory therapy education programs.

The traditional post-exam review, where an instructor reads answers while students passively listen, fails to bridge critical knowledge gaps. This session introduces the 3-Pen Method, a high-engagement strategy that shifts the burden of discovery from the educator to the learner.

Respiratory therapy students learn in high-acuity environments while navigating academic pressure, clinical evaluation, and professional identity formation. These dynamics can significantly impact student mental health, contributing to anxiety, burnout, depression and imposter syndrome early in training. Grounded in trauma-informed and equity-centered approaches, participants will explore practical strategies to support student mental health while maintaining educational rigor and clinical excellence.

A panel discussion on respiratory therapy education and accommodation for patient safety will be explored, including the intersection of accessibility, technical standards, and safe clinical practice within RT programs. Panelists will provide practical insights into balancing equity, accountability, and safety in academic and clinical respiratory therapy settings.