Introduction: Premature and critically ill infants in the NICU require timely physiotherapy interventions for optimal developmental support. Despite its significance, awareness of and referral practices for NICU physiotherapy among pediatric healthcare professionals are not well-documented. This study investigates the current awareness and referral practices regarding physiotherapy early intervention in the NICU among pediatric healthcare professionals. Methodology: Pediatricians, neonatologists, pediatric head nurses, pediatric intensivists, and other healthcare professionals from Gujarat, India, participated in this online survey study. A questionnaire was distributed to assess their knowledge, awareness, and factors influencing their physiotherapy referral decisions in the NICU. The principal investigator met with participants at their workplaces to explain the study and collect informed consent along with the completed questionnaires. Results: The study found that pediatric healthcare professionals recognize the role of physiotherapy in promoting recovery and development in high-risk neonatal conditions. Notable conditions where physiotherapy was considered beneficial included Erb’s palsy (78.6%), respiratory conditions (74.8%), and torticollis (68%). However, fewer respondents believed early intervention was beneficial for conditions like Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (29.1%), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (27.2%), or jaundice (9.7%). Regarding referral practices, 43.7% of respondents reported that they "sometimes" refer infants to physiotherapy, 29.1% "frequently" refer, and 9.7% "always" refer. In contrast, 17.5% of participants "rarely" or "never" refer infants to physiotherapy, indicating that some professionals either perceive limited need or face barriers in implementation. Conclusion: This study highlights a gap between the awareness of the benefits of physiotherapy early intervention and actual referral practices among pediatric healthcare professionals. While many recognize the value of physiotherapy, a significant portion does not consistently refer infants for services. Increased education and support for healthcare professionals could improve referral practices, ultimately benefiting neonatal health outcomes.
