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BALNEOLOGY. IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. INTRODUCTION. Balneology/Hydrotherapy is a common medical and often non medical practice Within the majority of European countries this activity is linked to PRM
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BALNEOLOGY IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE
INTRODUCTION • Balneology/Hydrotherapy is a common medical and often non medical practice • 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
How ? • 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 • 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: - 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 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…) • 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) • 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
SO, WHAT SHOULD WE DO? • Create an international glossary to define PRM terms in Balneology pratice. • Defining competencies in different aspects of balneology • 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) • Join this discussion! • Participate in educational initiatives • 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
STATEMENT • The UEMS PRM Section recognizes the importance of Hydrotherapy, Balneology and Climatology in PRM practice • Evidence based data is now growing in Balneology • More research is needed • The UEMS PRM Section promotes good clinical practice in PRM activities. • Create a Working Group on Balneology within the Professional Affairs Committee • Work with ISMH • Define taxonomy • Advise on science and education initiatives