Neonatal therapy: A survey of current practice

Area of Science:

• Neonatal therapy practice
• Healthcare professional development
• Clinical specialization

Background:

• Occupational therapists (OTs), physical therapists (PTs), and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) face practice standardization challenges.
• A practice analysis was initiated to inform the development of a neonatal therapy certification process.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey OTs, PTs, and SLPs practicing in NICUs.
• To assess their educational and professional preparation for NICU practice.
• To gauge interest in a national neonatal therapy certification.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was distributed to 468 neonatal therapists between 2015 and 2016.

Main Results:

• The survey included 208 OTs, 140 PTs, and 94 SLPs.
• 50% of respondents held a clinical doctorate, and 40% had over 5 years of experience before NICU practice.
• 98% of therapists expressed interest in a neonatal therapy certification program, with 88% deeming NICU oversight crucial.

Conclusions:

• Standardized training and advanced skills for neonatal therapists are essential for safe, effective, evidence-based care.
• The identified variability in training and education supports the establishment of a national neonatal therapy certification process.