Medical Hydrology and Balneology: Environmental Aspects

Health workers knowledge about medical
hydrology in Argentina
Vela L (1) , Medialdea V (1) , De la Torre M (1) , Carlos-Bejarano J (1) , Marín J (1) ,
Rodríguez-Carballeira M (2) , Maraver F (1)
(1) Professional School of Medical Hydrology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad
Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
(2) Hospital Universitario Mútua de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
mlorenavela@gmail.com
Introduction and Objectives
This study wants to determine the degree of knowledge about basic aspects of
medical hydrology among the health personnel who worked or keep working in the
patagonian region of Argentina. To evaluate the attitude, perceptions and experience
of the health workers regarding medical hydrology.
Materials and Methods
Design: Descriptive study. Anonymous survey with closed questions.
Participants: Health personnel (physicians, nurses, physiotherapists, nutritionist)
from Argentina.
Main variables: Demographic data of the interviewed health workers were collected
and they were asked about their knowledge and experience about medical
hydrology and their perceptions regarding medical hydrology. Data were collected
in an access file and analysed with a statistical program (SPSS 15.0).
Results
A total of 50 health workers (mean age: 31 years, mean worked experience: 7
years) were included. Women made up 68% of the sample. We interviewed 50
health workers, 24 physicians, 18 physiotherapists, 7 nurses and 1 nutritionist. 70%
of the interviewed ones worked in a care health center and 30% in a hospital. Asking
about the level of knowledge about basics aspects of medical hydrology, around
90% of the sample gave a correct definition of “spa”, more than half of the sample
defined correctly “medical hydrology” and “hydrotherapy”, 42% definded correctly
“medicinal mineral water”, 28% “thalassotherapy”, 22% “climatotherapy” and 22%
“Kneipp’s hydrotherapy”. When they were asked if they knew the indications and
contraindications of a thermal cure, 82% answered yes, 82% had ever advised a
thermal cure to a patient and more then the half knew that medical hydrology is a
medical speciality. 90% of the interviewed ones affirmed that they had visited a spa
and when they were asked to name the spas they knew, the average number of spas
appointed was 2. The spas named were: Termas de Copahue-Caviahue (49%),
Termas de Cacheuta (17%), Termas de San Clemente del Tuyu (10%), Termas de
Balnea
2012, núm. 6, 438-439
438
ISBN: 978-84-669-1887-0
978-84-669-3482-4