Key points
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Allied health professionals (physiotherapists, technologists/ scientists, nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists, nutritionists) are involved in the prevention, diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and management of acute and chronic respiratory diseases.
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Respiratory technologists are involved with the development, clinical application and monitoring of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
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Respiratory physiotherapists have expanded their traditional roles such as sputum clearance techniques to areas including pulmonary rehabilitation and supervision of noninvasive ventilation.
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Respiratory nurses are engaged in the holistic care of patients with lung diseases and are often involved in preventive programmes.
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There is considerable overlap between the responsibilities of allied respiratory professionals and, depending on local circumstances, similar roles may be played by respiratory technologists, physiotherapists or specialist nurses.