About

This website presents the complete, interactive, and freely available web version of the textbook Respiratory Physiology: A Clinical Approach.

About the Book

Originally published in print, this textbook aims to provide a clear, clinically oriented exposition of the essentials of respiratory physiology. It is designed for medical students, residents, nurses, allied health professionals, and anyone seeking to understand how the respiratory system functions, particularly in the context of clinical problems.

Our goal is to present physiology in a clinically meaningful way, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the respiratory system (controller, ventilatory pump, gas exchanger) and demonstrating principles common to different organ systems. This new web version enhances the original text with interactive figures and simulations, allowing readers to actively engage with the material and gain a deeper, more intuitive understanding.

We are delighted to make this resource freely available under a Creative Commons license to maximize its reach and impact in education worldwide. This site is currently a work in progress, with additional chapters and features planned. Please see the Roadmap for details.

About the Authors

Richard M. Schwartzstein, MD

• Ellen and Melvin Gordon Professor of Medicine and Medical Education, Harvard Medical School
• Chief, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC)
• Director of Educational Scholarship, Harvard Medical School

Dr. Schwartzstein is a practicing pulmonologist and critical care physician. A graduate of Harvard Medical School (HMS), he has been an active clinical educator and researcher for over 30 years. He served as Director of the Shapiro Institute for Education and Research at HMS and BIDMC, Director of the HMS Academy, chaired the Steering Committee that developed the HMS Pathways curriculum, and served as course director for Homeostasis 1. His educational research focuses on enhancing analytical reasoning and simulation in medical education. He is the recipient of multiple HMS and national teaching awards, including the Robert J. Glaser award from the AAMC.

Michael J. Parker, MD

• Associate Dean for Online Learning Research, Harvard Medical School
• Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
• Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC)

Dr. Parker specializes in online learning, educational technology, and data analysis within medical education. He previously founded and led HMX, Harvard Medical School's worldwide online learning initiative, developing innovative interactive courses across various biomedical sciences. His work focuses on applying learning science, AI, and data analysis to understand and enhance online learning experiences. He has a background in computer science (BS/MS from MIT) and clinical medicine, allowing him to bridge technology and medical education effectively.

About This Website

The conversion of the original print book content into a website and the development of the interactive figures and other interactive elements for this web version were undertaken by Dr. Parker. Both authors have reviewed and approved the content presented here.