Lonny Ashworth, a professor for the Department of Respiratory Care, spent seven weeks in summer teaching respiratory care workshops to healthcare professionals throughout 11 different areas in Japan. His goal was to further the management of critically ill patients and the respiratory care profession throughout the country.
Ashworth has been traveling to Japan twice annually since 1996 to teach workshops on mechanical ventilation and expand the respiratory care profession as a part of the International Exchange Visit Programme for Respiratory Care Professionals. Ashworth began his teachings abroad after meeting Toshihiko Koga, a Japanese pulmonary physician, in 1994.
Koga, who was visiting Boise State University as an International Fellow with the American Association for Respiratory Care International Congress, was searching for someone to help teach adult mechanical ventilation and improve the understanding and practice of respiratory care in Japan.
“Being able to meet and work with Dr. Toshihiko Koga changed me as an educator,” said Ashworth. “He taught me how to love education and helped me develop a passion for teaching, which in return, has benefitted each of my students. The relationships he helped to develop in Japan are continuing strong even today, with exciting opportunities for the future.”
Unfortunately, Koga passed before more members could help spread the practice of respiratory care in Japan. However, Ashworth continues to serve as one of the providers presenting workshops in Japan in the spirit of Koga and the program.
Last summer, Ashworth taught 23 workshops on adult mechanical ventilation at 13 different hospitals throughout the country to more than 580 physicians, nurses, physical therapists, clinical engineers and other healthcare professionals. In addition to the workshops, Ashworth was asked to offer suggestions for the care of patients in the intensive care unit at one of the leading hospitals in Japan.
Teaching within hospitals and assisting with patients in the intensive care unit provided an excellent opportunity for Ashworth to share bedside teachings with physicians and co-medical personnel. Another benefit was the increased exposure to and understanding of the philosophies of leading intensive care unit physicians in Japan.
Due to the time he has spent in Japan, Ashworth has been able to connect with several research partners, resulting in four publications in nationally-refereed journals in the past five years. Additionally, he currently is involved in four ongoing research projects, with more expected to start this spring.
Because of Ashworth’s involvement in the International Exchange Visit Programme for Respiratory Care Professionals, many Japanese healthcare professionals have become aware of Boise State’s Department of Respiratory Care, resulting in several Japanese professionals traveling to Boise State to complete their bachelor’s degree in respiratory care. Ashworth met with several respiratory care alumni that now are working in Japan.
Ashworth is looking forward to returning to Japan in January to teach and work with more Japanese healthcare professionals, and further the pursuit of Koga’s dream in expanding the respiratory care profession across Japan.
– Story by Taylor Music