From 13th to 15th November the 2nd Thermal World forum
took place in Abbano, Italy. Near Venice Italy has its greatest area of health
tourism which started at the time of the Roman empire and has was developed
several 100 years towards a region of health tradition. Built on that knowledge
and experience in the medical spa treatment approach has a home here. It has
become part of modern life style to use spa resort – a re-import of
the originally Italian concept from California – in all the hotels all
over the world. Heating water and tubbing people in hot tubes is one thing.
The medical expertise in cooperation with medical knowledge to the benefit
of patients with orthopaedic problems is another art. Not only an art which
can be left to “artists”, it is a paramedic profession which needs
a professional education.
The 2nd World
Thermal Forum in Abbano stresses the importance of EU regulations
on therapeutic and medical wellness spa.
The discussion will continue.
EU Thermal Forum in Abbano Therme 13th to 15th Nov. 2008
It seems necessary to back up this industry and to make very clear that
there is a difference between wellness for prevention and life style enhancement
on one side without specific therapeutic impact on a disease, and: medical
spa and wellness with therapeutic goals. The last approach needs to be protected
insofar as promises to the effects of the procedures and their application
should only be allowed by licensed institutions and therapists who gained
the necessary experience. The European legislation has to make clear this
difference and the insurers should be encouraged develop European standards
in the field of medical wellness and rehabilitative spa concepts. Not only
buildings are part of cultural heritage, also knowledge embedded in medical
expertise and processes.
Budapest will give us the next example.
Report by Dr. Klein, speaker at the 2nd World Thermal Forum
