Facebook and WhatsApp in Identifying Current Practices of Neurological Physiotherapy Intervention in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: In Indian Scenario.

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground:Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is care of less gestational age babies, prenatal neurological insult such as asphyxia, and congenital abnormalities such as congenital heart disease (CHD). There is a few evidence about neurological interventions in NICUs.Aims and Objectives:To explore the current physiotherapy neurological practices in NICU by the cross-sectional online survey.Materials and Methods:150 physiotherapy students from different physiotherapy colleges, who were posted in NICU during their clinical posting as a part of curriculum in the age group between 18 and 25 years were enrolled in the study. The study was carried out by sending the link to the students through social networking sites such as Facebook and WhatsApp. The survey was administrated using the online survey portal, SurveyMonkey (online survey services). The questionnaire was filled by physiotherapy students. Validated questionnaire approved by student project committee comprising 10 questions were included in the survey.Results:Out of 150 physiotherapy students, only 107 were responded back. No incomplete questionnaire was received from survey. We obtained 31%––always; 23%––usually; 24%––sometimes; 6%––seldom; and 16%––never performed neurological physiotherapy intervention in NICU.Conclusion:Less than 50% physiotherapy students performed neurological physiotherapy intervention in NICU. Therefore, more awareness needs to be created regarding neurological physiotherapy intervention performed in NICU.