Table 1 ^a Major obstacles perceived by nurses and physicians in NICUs (%)

Shortage of physicians/nurses

72

73

67

High occupancy and over-capacity

67

67

72

Shortage of auxiliary manpower (secretary, social worker etc.)

42

42

40

Physicians’ knowledge and training

32

33

24

Shortage of research done in NICUs

32

31

37

Old equipment

31

32

22

Inappropriate division of labor between physicians and nurses*

28

29

20

Physician availability*

27

28

16

Nurses’ knowledge and training

27

28

24

Little authority of nurses

26

26

33

Absence of written procedures for administrative and logistic activities*

24

25

13

Absence of uniform regulations/guidelines for treating neonates

21

22

13