RC_World on-line forum--open for learning everyday.

Today's internet provides us with a wealth of information. One useful tool is that of discussion groups and other formats that allow for specific problems or points of view to be analyzed by others with a common interest. These groups can be found for almost any type of activity and respiratory care is no exception.

Perhaps one of the best kept "secrets" around is the list serv Respiratory_Care World. It was begun in 1994 by list owner John Hannigan and Dave Farr with the purpose of bringing therapists together to share knowledge and information. Hannigan says, "I wanted to contribute to the profession and provide a forum that is available to anyone with email on the internet. Respiratory therapists can find each other in specialty forums, such as "Careers" on Prodigy, but at $10 to $20 a month it didn't make sense to join more than one service." Set up through the generosity of Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis, with Joseph Koss as the faculty sponsor, a big advantage to RC_World subscribers is that it is free. The only requirement is an email address.

In the beginning there were less than a dozen subscribers, all in the USA. A recent tally revealed 833 subscriptions in 10 countries. When first starting the list, Hannigan worked with other members of the AARC Congress. "I made it my business for many months to promote the idea of this mailing list. I offered it to the AARC, but they wanted to keep membership tied to the service," Hannigan recalls. He wanted there to be few restrictions to reach a more diverse base, "I wanted to unite health care workers on third shift in Hawaii with physicians in Hong Kong, Japan, and Canada."

So what can a therapist expect to gain from an RC_World subscription? Jim Jeffcoat BS, RRT of Methodist Children's Hospital of South Texas writes, "RC_World is where the best minds in Respiratory Care come together to share their knowledge and experience. It is also a source of camaraderie and community. Despite our sometimes diverse viewpoints we share in the same goal of providing the best patient care possible, and pursuit of excellence in the art and science of Respiratory Care." Many use the forum to expand their base of information and support. "... I work in a small hospital," Says Ken Conley, RRT of Clay Center, Kansas. "I use RC_World as a window to see what is going on in the field. It is important for us to keep up on the new changes and provide as good of care here in the 'boonies' as they get in the big hospitals. Also, RC world is a security blanket. There are only 3 of us full time in my department and usually you have no one to ask questions concerning respiratory." Many participants on the forum are published, speak nationally and are viewed as experts in specific areas. Fred Fraley CRT, RPFT of Medina, Ohio likes the expertise available from the RC_World, "Post one email and get answers from instructors in some of the top programs in the country, working therapists with centuries of accumulated experience, and RT managers." In addition to sharing knowledge, everyone is there to learn. As John Hughs Med, RRT of Millersville University in Pennsylvania put it, "Many of us are experts in some aspect of respiratory care, but none of us are experts in all of the areas. RC_World creates a forum where each may feed daily on the expertise of others on the list. I am a better educator because of this invaluable resource."

It isn't necessary to be an active participant to benefit from RC_World. Jerry Meurs of Leadville, Colorado is a self-described "lurker," someone who regularly reads the daily postings without sending comments. Meurs said, "Choosing the small, rural healthcare world kept me from experiencing the high-tech, high acuity environment that appeals to me; participating in the group keeps me informed and able to answer intelligently when the doc asks, 'How is this done in larger facilities?' Information shared here has helped me to nudge the hospitals I've worked in closer to the modern world of respiratory care."

With its reach to all specialty areas of respiratory care, instructors and students find RC_World to be a great supplement to the education process. "... I assign each student a week during the semester to monitor RC_World, select an issue being discussed, write a report on the issue dealing with the pros and cons, significance to RT, etc.," states Joe Koss MS, RRT, FARRC, at Indiana University. "Some of the foreign students are particularly pleased that they were introduced to the forum as they realize it will be an excellent way to stay current when they return home." Steven Hurd, a first year RC student at Vermont Technical College, finds RC_World gives him a head start on things to come, "I do not understand all that I read, things we have not covered yet, but I've found that when we do start new material in class I have often been exposed to it already on this forum." Kimberly Adams, a second year RC student at Lakeland Community College in Cleveland, Ohio sees it as a way to ensure mentoring is available, "I know that I will be able to come back to this site often to 'pick one's brain' to conquer the growing pains of becoming a new therapist. I have met some lifelong mentors on this site and hope to gather new ones along the way."

If you would like a place to get questions answered, share knowledge, get opinions, expand your sense of community or all of these, check out RC_World. It's always open for learning, 24/7.

RELATED ARTICLE: How a List Serv Works

When an email is sent to the list serv all subscribers receive a copy of that email. Daily emails can vary from 10 or fewer to 40 when a hot topic is discussed. If this is too much volume, a digest version is available which will give you all the day's emails condensed into one.

Join The Respiratory Care World List at: http://www.listserv.iupui.edu/archives/rc_world.html

Or

Send the following command in the body of an email, NOT the subject line:

SUB RC_WORLD first name last name, credentials

Send to: [e-mail]

The command is case sensitive and spelling, spaces and the underscore character are important.

Or

Send email to: [e-mail]

In the subject line put: Pls add me to RC_WORLD today

Brian Neis BSRT, RRT-NPS, RPFT