Social Networks in French Balneotherapy: A Focus on Spa Doctors

Author:

Ramon Dupuy Sybille1ORCID,Cueille Sandrine2ORCID,Dubourg Karine1,Roques-Latrille Christian-François3ORCID,Bauduer Frédéric1

Affiliation:

1. Institut du Thermalisme, University of Bordeaux, 40100 Dax, France

2. Laboratoire de Recherche en Management (LIREM), University of Pau and Pays de l’Adour, E2S UPPA, 64100 Bayonne, France

3. Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Toulouse 3, 31000 Toulouse, France

Abstract

Spa therapy is a medical treatment based on the use of natural mineral water. In France, spa therapy is delivered in spa care facilities (SCF) involving the intervention of several actors (stakeholders). Spa doctors are key stakeholders as they prescribe the treatments, follow spa patients and assess spa therapy with scientific studies. This study aimed to analyze the spa doctors’ relationships in order to highlight their role in transferring information to other stakeholders, particularly to spa managers. For that purpose, we used the social network analysis (SNA) method by means of snowball data collection. We sent a questionnaire to all the spa therapy categories of actors. In total, 80 persons answered and declared 397 relationships. Our results, based on the categorization of respondents and of their relationships and on quantitative indicators (density, response rate), show that spa doctors demonstrate a very acceptable density of relations with spa managers and elected local authorities. However, they appear to be poorly involved in relations concerning the strategy and management of SCF, although they are essential actors in ensuring the medical relevance and sustainability of spa therapy. This research is of interest to patients’ care as it recommends deeper involvement of spa doctors in the management of SCF in order to optimize access to informational resources, specifically regarding the evolution of treatments in accordance with scientific progress. Our data are of international scope because the organizational model of balneotherapy, based on the cooperation between spa doctors and SCF, is universal.

Funder

Conseil Départemental Les Landes

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Health Information Management,Health Informatics,Health Policy,Leadership and Management

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