Abstract:

Physical prevention is a complex of medical measures using physical modalities, focused on the risk factors for development of socially important diseases. The group of applied physical modalities includes natural modalities (water /normal, mineral, sea water/, sunshine, climate, environment, movement, activities) and preformed physical factors (electric currents, magnetic fields, ultra-sound, artificial light, inhalations). In our country, Physical prevention is considered as a part of the physical and rehabilitation medicine (PRM).

The objective of current work was to realize a comparison of the level of professional competences in the field of Physical prevention of different types of practitioners (members of the multi-disciplinary rehabilitation team) -with evaluation of the results of application of electronic learning, including edition of an electronic book.

During last year, we prepared an electronic book with presentations and videos, entitled "Physical prevention (including Wellness, SPA, Medical SPA) - Preventive and Rehabilitation programs". The e-book contains theoretical bases, description of principal diagnostic methods and preventive measures (oriented to the socially important diseases and risk factors), and some clinical cases. We paid special attention to: regular physical activity, analytic exercises, climatic zones and mineral waters in Bulgaria, breathing exercises and inhalations in the mountains and at the sea-side. We prepared complex programmes for socially important conditions: osteoporosis; back pain and scoliosis; bronchial asthma and chronic respiratory insufficiency; traumas; vascular diseases (stroke, myocardial infarction, intermittent claudication); metabolic syndrome and its complications: obesity and cellulitis; diabetes mellitus, diabetic polyneuropathy and diabetic foot. We included too some recommendations to young women – future mothers, accentuating on the physical activity and respiratory exercises during the pregnancy and after the childbirth, and massage techniques and exercises for the new-born.

The e-book is oriented to the necessities of the different types of medical specialists (medical doctors – PRM-specialists and trainees) and health professionals (bachelors in Physiotherapy, Ergotherapy, Nursing and Midwifery; masters in Medical rehabilitation and Balneology, and in Medical Cosmetics). We offered the book to all students and to all participants in long-life-learning (LLL) training courses on Physical prevention (medical specialists and health professionals).

We created a set of tests and practical exams (including analysis of clinical cases) in the field of physical prevention, adapted to the level of education of different types of practitioners (for students, for health professionals – bachelors and masters; for medical doctors – PRM specialists and PRM-trainees).
We compared the level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in all groups of practitioners - before and after the edition and application of the e-book and the video-films in the educational process.

The results of this qualitative and quantitative evaluation demonstrates a statistically significant improvement in the level of theoretical knowledge and practical skills in all members of the multi-disciplinary multi-professional rehabilitation team – after the introduction of e-learning and the e-book. The level of satisfaction of all participants in the LLL training courses of the year is satisfactory.

Keywords:

Distance learning, Electronic book, Physical prevention, Wellness, SPA.