This study aimed to develop an assessment tool for thermal spring users to ensure safety in the use of balneotherapy. The Balneotherapy Assessment Screening Tool (BAST) will record each user’s medical history, highlight potential red flags for balneotherapy immersion, and provide personalized instructions for the immersion process. Additionally, it will emphasize the concurrent use of a tool to assess real-time monitoring of vital signs during immersion. The tool will be developed by a scientific group using a Delphi (consensus-based) study.
International experts (medical doctors, physiotherapists, nurses, and health professionals) in the balneotherapy field were invited to participate in a Delphi study. The study contained 26 items which were rated on 5-point Likert scales. The items were assigned to three domains. The consensus level was defined as 75%.
Of 74 invited experts, 27 followed the invitation and completed the first round and 24 experts completed the second round. Strong agreement (76% to 96%) was found for General information in the questionnaire, Patient information, and Medical history. Strong expert agreement (79% to 95.6%) was on recording vital signs before, after, and during the immersion. Experts strongly agreed (96%) that guidelines should be provided regarding balneotherapy’s frequency, duration, and intensity. There were no varying opinions on the balneotherapy screening tool (BAST). However, there were different opinions on the balneotherapy instructions, including frequency, duration, and intensity.
The study successfully identified consensus on crucial issues regarding balneotherapy assessment and safety parameters in balneotherapy users. The expert’s agreement with detailed assessment and patient history-taking underscores the importance of a screening tool. Experts agree that monitoring the user's vital signs during immersion in the thermal water in real time is an important safety factor. Although some areas of divergence remain (the frequency of balneotherapy and the duration of immersion), the overall findings contribute valuable insights into the balneotherapy field.
This assessment tool has important implications for the safety of balneotherapy users. It streamlines and organizes the assessment process while providing personalized guidance. The tool is designed to assist health workers at thermal springs in conducting assessments both before and during immersion. The expert consensus on real-time monitoring of vital signs may encourage increased use of smart devices.
Assessment
Delphi study
