BALNEOLOGY IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

INTRODUCTION Balneology/Hydrotherapy is a common medical and often non medical practice Balneology/Hydrotherapy is a common medical and often non medical practice Within the majority of European countries this activity is linked to PRM Within the majority of European countries this activity is linked to PRM So we must look for this reality and decide which aspects should concern our speciality institutions So we must look for this reality and decide which aspects should concern our speciality institutions

How ? First of all it is necessary to separate medical from non medical balneology First of all it is necessary to separate medical from non medical balneology This is also a matter of law as it deals with aspects such as competence, ethics and professional or legal responsibility This is also a matter of law as it deals with aspects such as competence, ethics and professional or legal responsibility It links also with the definition of “medical act” that is now under discussion in many of our countries. It links also with the definition of “medical act” that is now under discussion in many of our countries.

Balneology in PRM- 1 The second point of discussion is: The second point of discussion is: - Is balneology within the PRM speciality? - Is it a part of our activity? - Is balneology within the PRM speciality? - Is it a part of our activity? Balneology is useful in all aspects of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of impairments, disabilities and in enhancing of activities and participation. Balneology is useful in all aspects of prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of impairments, disabilities and in enhancing of activities and participation.

Balneology and PRM- 2 All the aspects pointed yesterday by Prof. C. Gutenbrunner should be taken in consideration (questions as: balneology as a speciality, a competence, overlaping with other specialities…) All the aspects pointed yesterday by Prof. C. Gutenbrunner should be taken in consideration (questions as: balneology as a speciality, a competence, overlaping with other specialities…) Besides that we must think that hydrotherapy has been traditionaly used as an important tool of our practice Besides that we must think that hydrotherapy has been traditionaly used as an important tool of our practice

BALNEOLOGY AND THE ICF MODEL balneology is additionaly an holistic health treatment as it may be a kind of behavioural therapy (control of risk factors for instance) balneology is additionaly an holistic health treatment as it may be a kind of behavioural therapy (control of risk factors for instance) This can be seen as an “environmental factor” a within the ICF model This can be seen as an “environmental factor” a within the ICF model There is now some evidence that Health Resorts have the same benefits as environmental factors in the functional outcomes in Rehabilitation Programmes There is now some evidence that Health Resorts have the same benefits as environmental factors in the functional outcomes in Rehabilitation Programmes

SO, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? 1) Create an international glossary to define PRM terms in Balneology pratice. 2) Defining competencies in different aspects of balneology 3) Create curriculum and education programmes

Other strategies Participate with medical groups working on these goals (ISMH - Prof T Bender, President - Prof C Gutenbrunner- Vice President) Participate with medical groups working on these goals (ISMH - Prof T Bender, President - Prof C Gutenbrunner- Vice President) Join this discussion! Join this discussion! Participate in educational initiatives Participate in educational initiatives Participatie in the process of accreditation of Balneology facilities, as some claim to be “rehabilitation” units. Participatie in the process of accreditation of Balneology facilities, as some claim to be “rehabilitation” units.

PROPOSAL A UEMS PRM Section STATEMENT concerning hydrotherapy and balneology A UEMS PRM Section STATEMENT concerning hydrotherapy and balneology

STATEMENT The UEMS PRM Section recognizes the importance of Hydrotherapy, Balneology and Climatology in PRM practice The UEMS PRM Section recognizes the importance of Hydrotherapy, Balneology and Climatology in PRM practice Evidence based data is now growing in Balneology Evidence based data is now growing in Balneology More research is needed More research is needed The UEMS PRM Section promotes good clinical practice in PRM activities. The UEMS PRM Section promotes good clinical practice in PRM activities. Create a Working Group on Balneology within the Professional Affairs Committee Create a Working Group on Balneology within the Professional Affairs Committee –Work with ISMH –Define taxonomy –Advise on science and education initiatives