Health Promotion Development in the Spa Treatment. Perspectives for the European Countries Learned from Poland's Experiences

Abstract

The main aim of the paper is to outline the perspective for future developments of the spa treatment in light of demographic transitions characterized by the increasing number of seniors, as well as changing expectations and health needs of younger population. We made a systematic review of literature referring to the experience of Poland, and similar experiences of other countries in Central Europe. Based on the existing knowledge we conclude that spa treatment should become one of the preferred directions of development of health systems in European countries. Moreover, we state that a desirable direction to modify the therapeutic paradigm used in spa treatment is to put a far-reaching greater emphasis on the provision of innovative health promotion, which is justified by both its effectiveness, and strongly good foundation for its provision in spas. For this purpose it is necessary to extend the specialized health sector personnel with qualified health educators, which will enable an effective implementation of health promotion actions and their proper alignment to the specific target groups. Developing this category of specialists will also enable other professionals to concentrate on therapeutic activity fitting their competence.

Tėvų, Auginančių Kūdikius Ir Ankstyvojo Amžiaus Vaikus, Žinios Apie Rotavirusinę Ir Norovirusinę Infekcijas

“…Susidaro nenutrūkstamas ratas -fizinė sveikata daro poveikį asmens psichikos sveikatai ir atvirkščiai [6][7][8][9][10][11]. Tokiu atveju pasiekti visokeriopos asmens gerovės vien medikamentiniu gydymu neįmanoma, todėl vis dažniau į gydymo procesą įtraukiama balneoterapija, peloidoterapija ir atsižvelgiama į klimato veiksnius, turinčius teigiamos įtakos įvairių susirgimų gydymui [12,13].…”

Calcium and vitamin D content in the menus offered to elderly people during spa treatment in Krynica-Zdrój resort

“…Healthy eating is also promoted. One of the places where seniors, through observation, can gain knowledge on how to compose a meal to make it wholesome is a sanatorium that combines spa treatment and rehabilitation with diet therapy [1,2]. The obligation of the diet therapy during spa treatment results from the Polish regulations [3].…”

“…In Poland and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, spa treatment is perceived as an integral part of healthcare systems. It is estimated that annually 400 000 patients in Poland use spa services and most of them receive this treatment financed by the National Health Fund [1]. Although spa treatment is very popular in Poland, nutritional value of menus planned for elderly in sanatoriums has not been sufficiently investigated.…”

Identification of Factors for the Development of Medical Tourism in the World

“…Therapeutic, rehabilitative and preventive procedures provided by sanatoriums, prevention and treatment facilities and polyclinics facilitate the recovery of patients with chronic cardiovascular, orthopedic, rheumatologic and neurological diseases. Besides, the above procedures attract young people who pay great attention to a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness [ 3 ]. Such aspirations, combined with the ease of travel between countries, have led to the growth of medical tourism as a growing industry in many countries [ 4 ].…”