635 Digital Medicine: from SPA to Medical Recovery

Abstract

Background: Digital medicine (eHealth) represents using information and
communications technologies to support health and health-related fields with affordable and secure
healthcare services, medical literature, education, and research. Methods: A literature search was
conducted on Publons, the PubMed database, and dedicated websites starting in 1995. We included
papers performed in different countries, using specific statistical methods and standardized
questionnaires to quantify patients' and clinicians' opinions correctly. Results: Traditionally,
balneotherapy has a social value, but telehealth and telemedicine need to be adequately
standardized in today's web society to empower travel behavior. The unmet need of older adults or
persons with physical disabilities is a global problem, and physiotherapists work toward the same
goals for improving rehabilitation services with the use of digital technology. Conclusions: This
review draws attention to several factors from the literature survey. Firstly, therapists and patients
accept eHealth methods only combined with face-to-face appointments. Secondly, the platform's
software and other approaches should be cost-efficient and easy to use. Digital methods applied in
balneotherapy, rehabilitation, and health maintenance proved their effectiveness. Still, the essential
message is that society and governments should put future efforts into increasing the population's
access to digital systems and improving digital awareness and literacy.
Keywords: eHealth; telemedicine, balneal tourism, physical rehabilitation