THERMAL CONSENSUS STATEMENT

At the Consensus Conference, which took place in Szeged (2nd.of April), among leaders of the International Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology(ISMH), Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Board of Medical Specialists European Union(UEMS), World Organization of Thermalism(OMTH)World Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy(FEMTEC), International Society of Hydrothermal Techniques(SITH) and Medical committee of European SPA Federation (ESPA) achieved following understanding:

• Balneology and health resort medicine is part of a scientific medicine and has to be based on scientific evidence.
• Definition of terms in balneology an health resort medicine have to be developed as basis for the scientific work and the development of quality standards practice of balneology and health resort medicine.
• A consensus process should be started:
            1. On the basis of the exchange of information and collection of the work that has been already done in international societies as well as on a national level.
            2. To compile the International Glossary of health-resort and Spa-medicine terminology
            3. Using systematic methods of decision making process (Delphi tasks and consensus conferences)
            4. In close cooperation of the attending societies and other partner organisations

A task force has to be founded to deal with this issue in a common activity of the attending organisations

The international Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology (ISMH) in its last international congress whose chairman was the Prof. Helmut G. Pratzel, promoted the international integration of the Medicine of the Health Resorts like an independent speciality for the prevention, treatment and medical rehabilitation of chronic illnesses.

The inheritance of the Professor Helmut Pratzel has been picked up by the new chairman, Dr. Bender remembers that the chronic ailments increase among the elderly people and in this sense it highlights that "the task of the ISMH is to design a global plan and to coordinate the scientific research in the fields of the Medicine of the Health Resorts and the Spa Therapy for the prevention, treatment of disords or chronic ailments and rehabilitation programs ".

To deepen in the necessity of a medical base for the Balneotherapy, was one of the main aims of the International Conference in which participated international organisms of Medical Hydrology and Climatology, the Directorate of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the European Union of Specialists, World Organization of Thermalism, Federation of Hydrotherapy and Climatotherapy and the International Society of Hydrothermal Techniques as well as the Medical Committee of the Spas Federation.

TERMAS WORLD AGENCY