15 Best Subreddits for Respiratory Therapists (2026)

Best Subreddits for Respiratory Therapists: Your Guide to Professional Communities

Reddit has become an invaluable platform for respiratory therapists seeking to connect with peers, stay current with industry developments, and advance their careers. With millions of active users and specialized communities dedicated to healthcare professions, Reddit offers respiratory therapists access to real-world insights, clinical discussions, and professional networking opportunities that traditional platforms often lack.

The platform's anonymous nature encourages honest discussions about workplace challenges, salary negotiations, and clinical experiences that might be difficult to have in formal professional settings. Whether you're a new graduate preparing for your first RT position or a seasoned professional considering specialization in areas like neonatal or critical care, these Reddit communities provide practical advice from practitioners who've been in your shoes.

This guide explores the top five subreddits that respiratory therapists should join to maximize their professional development and stay connected with the broader healthcare community. Each community offers unique perspectives and resources that can enhance your practice and career trajectory.

Why Join Reddit as a Respiratory Therapist

Professional networking through Reddit offers respiratory therapists access to a global community of practitioners working in diverse healthcare settings. Unlike LinkedIn's formal atmosphere, Reddit allows for candid conversations about real workplace situations, from dealing with difficult physicians to navigating budget cuts in respiratory departments. These authentic discussions provide insights that can help you handle similar situations in your own practice.

The rapid pace of respiratory therapy means staying current with new ventilator technologies, treatment protocols, and research findings is crucial for providing optimal patient care. Reddit communities often discuss emerging trends months before they appear in formal publications. Members share experiences with new equipment, debate treatment approaches, and post links to relevant research studies, creating a dynamic learning environment that complements traditional continuing education.

Career advancement opportunities frequently arise through Reddit connections. Members share job openings, discuss salary ranges across different regions, and provide interview tips specific to respiratory therapy positions. Many users have found mentors, learned about specialized certifications, or discovered new career paths through these communities. The diverse membership includes respiratory therapists from academic medical centers, community hospitals, home care companies, and specialized facilities, offering perspectives on various career trajectories.

Reddit also serves as an excellent platform for professional problem-solving. When facing challenging patient cases or equipment issues, respiratory therapists can describe situations and receive input from colleagues with similar experiences. This collective knowledge base has helped many practitioners improve patient outcomes and develop clinical reasoning skills that might take years to acquire through experience alone.

What to Expect in Respiratory Therapist Subreddits

The r/respiratorytherapy community focuses specifically on issues relevant to RT practice. Common discussion topics include ventilator troubleshooting, arterial blood gas interpretation, patient transport procedures, and workplace policies affecting respiratory departments. Members frequently share photos of interesting chest X-rays, unusual equipment configurations, or challenging intubation scenarios, creating educational opportunities for the entire community.

Career-focused discussions dominate many threads, with respiratory therapists sharing experiences about transitioning between specialties, pursuing advanced certifications, or moving into management roles. Salary surveys and job market discussions provide valuable insights for career planning. New graduates often post questions about their first positions, while experienced RTs offer guidance on professional development and specialization choices.

The broader healthcare subreddits like r/medicine and r/healthcare provide interdisciplinary perspectives that help respiratory therapists understand how their role fits within the larger healthcare team. These communities discuss healthcare policy changes, reimbursement issues, and systemic challenges that affect all healthcare workers. Respiratory therapists can contribute their expertise while learning how other professionals view collaborative care.

Community culture varies across subreddits, but most maintain professional standards while encouraging open dialogue. Moderators typically enforce rules against sharing identifiable patient information and maintain respectful discourse. The r/alliedhealth community is particularly supportive of professional development, with members celebrating certification achievements, job promotions, and educational milestones. Expect a mix of serious clinical discussions and lighter content about workplace humor and shared experiences that bond healthcare professionals together.

How to Get the Most Value from These Communities

Active participation yields far better results than passive browsing. Start by introducing yourself in relevant threads, sharing your background and areas of interest. When asking questions, provide sufficient context about your situation, experience level, and specific challenges. Instead of posting "What ventilator settings should I use?" explain the patient scenario, current settings, and what outcomes you're trying to achieve. This approach generates more helpful responses and demonstrates professional thinking.

Contributing valuable content builds your reputation within these communities. Share interesting cases (following HIPAA guidelines), post links to relevant research articles, or create educational content about respiratory therapy procedures. Many successful community members regularly contribute by answering questions from newer respiratory therapists, sharing workplace insights, or discussing continuing education opportunities. This generosity often leads to private messages with networking opportunities and professional connections.

Avoid common mistakes that can damage your professional reputation. Never share patient information that could violate privacy laws, even if you believe it's anonymized. Don't use these platforms to complain about specific employers or colleagues in ways that could be traced back to you. Resist the urge to provide medical advice to non-healthcare professionals who might post in these communities - instead, encourage them to seek appropriate medical care.

Use Reddit's search function effectively to find relevant discussions before posting new questions. Many topics have been covered extensively, and reading previous conversations can provide comprehensive answers while showing respect for the community's time. Set up keyword alerts for topics like "respiratory therapy jobs," "RT certification," or specific equipment brands you work with to stay informed about relevant discussions.

Leverage these communities for continuing education by following discussions about new research, treatment protocols, and equipment updates. Create a system for saving valuable posts and comments that you can reference later. Many respiratory therapists maintain private notes about insights gained from Reddit discussions, creating a personalized knowledge base that enhances their clinical practice and professional development.

Building Your Professional Network

Meaningful professional relationships often develop naturally through consistent, helpful participation in these communities. When you regularly contribute valuable insights or assist other respiratory therapists with their questions, colleagues may reach out privately to continue conversations or seek advice on specific situations. These connections can evolve into mentorship relationships, job referrals, or collaborative opportunities that extend beyond Reddit.

Many experienced respiratory therapists use these platforms to mentor newcomers to the profession. If you're seeking guidance, identify active community members whose posts demonstrate expertise in your areas of interest, then engage thoughtfully with their content before reaching out directly. Conversely, as you gain experience, consider offering mentorship to newer respiratory therapists - this relationship often proves mutually beneficial and strengthens the professional community.

The global nature of Reddit means you can connect with respiratory therapists working in different healthcare systems, countries, and specialties. These diverse perspectives can broaden your understanding of the profession and potentially open doors to international opportunities, research collaborations, or innovative practice approaches that haven't yet reached your geographic area.

Top Subreddits for Respiratory Therapists

r/respiratorytherapy

This specialized community serves as the primary hub for respiratory therapists on Reddit. Members discuss clinical scenarios, share workplace experiences, and provide career guidance specific to the RT profession. The subreddit regularly features discussions about certification exams, specialty areas like neonatal or sleep medicine, and emerging technologies in respiratory care.

r/medicine

A broader medical community that includes physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals. Respiratory therapists can contribute their expertise to discussions about pulmonary medicine, critical care, and ventilator management while gaining insights into how other healthcare professionals view collaborative care and healthcare policy issues.

r/nursing

Since respiratory therapists work closely with nurses in most healthcare settings, this community provides valuable perspectives on interdisciplinary collaboration, patient care approaches, and workplace dynamics. Many discussions about critical care, patient advocacy, and healthcare workplace issues are relevant to respiratory therapists.

r/healthcare

This community focuses on healthcare system issues, policy changes, and industry trends that affect all healthcare workers. Respiratory therapists can stay informed about reimbursement changes, regulatory updates, and healthcare technology developments that impact their practice and career opportunities.

r/alliedhealth

A supportive community for allied health professionals including respiratory therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others. This subreddit emphasizes professional development, career advancement, and the unique challenges faced by allied health professionals in various healthcare settings.

Conclusion

These Reddit communities offer respiratory therapists unprecedented access to professional networking, continuing education, and career development opportunities. By actively participating in discussions, sharing your expertise, and building meaningful connections, you can enhance your clinical practice while contributing to the broader respiratory therapy community.

Start by joining one or two communities that align with your current interests and career goals. As you become comfortable with the platform and community culture, expand your participation to additional subreddits. Remember that the value you receive from these communities directly correlates with the quality of your contributions and engagement. Take the