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IA questionnaire was sent to 34 hospitals in Australia, 33 in the UK a n d 1 1 in HongKong to investigate current physiotherapy work practices in intensive care units (ICUs). T h e questionnaires were returned from 32 hospitals in Australia, 21 in the UK and 9 in Hong Kong, giving a response rate of 94, 64 a n d 82% respectively.A 24-hour on-call physiotherapy service was available in 97% of the ICUs surveyed in the UK; however, this service was available in only 49% of the units in Australia and none of the ICUs in Hong Kong. Referral decisions were purely the verdict of the physiotherapist in 31% of the units in the UK and 27% of the units in Australia. This form of referral system, however, does not exist in H o n g Kong. A physiotherapist's opinion was sought by medical staff in over 60% of the units in all three countries. suctioning and vibration. Physiotherapists are more scientifically orientated in the UK and Australia -28% of the units surveyed in the UK and 10% in Australia were involved in chest physiotherapy research. H o n g Kong is o u t of step with other countries in this respect.T h e most commonly used techniques employed in all three countries were I