Every month, a personality from the thermal, medical, political, entrepreneurial, or cultural world tells us about their relationship with thermalism. In March, it’s Karine Dubourg, deputy director of the Thermalism Institute in Dax, who shares with us her vision of thermalism today and tomorrow. Interview.
Pharmacist, graduate of the University of Bordeaux, Karine Dubourg completed her studies with a master’s degree in the field of water and health. After an initial experience in community pharmacy, a professional opportunity arose at the beginning of the 2000s: to join the Thermalism Institute, then structured as an association.
Alongside two colleagues and under the supervision of Professor Kant, the adventure of structuring the scientific and university aspects of the Thermalism Institute began. Today, this unique structure in France now has 14 employees and extends over an area of 1800 m², including classrooms, an amphitheater, research laboratories, a technological platform, and a university library.
L’Officiel du Thermalisme: What motivates you in your work?
Karine Dubourg: What motivates and interests me is the holistic approach of thermal medicine. It is a multidisciplinary approach to taking care of spa guests. Spa guests want to heal differently, take the time to get better. In the months after the spa treatment, they have less pain and consume fewer medications.
The qualitative surveys we conduct reveal that the treatment is a real break for them, a suspended moment where they take care of themselves. Guests find themselves in the same place, at the same time, with patients who have the same condition. They will take advantage of this time to share their experiences, benefit from the advantages of thermal treatments, but also establish new habits (adapted physical activity [APA], nutrition, sleep) strengthening their health and well-being. Let’s not forget that spa guests are very receptive to public health messages that are conveyed to them.
What are the teaching missions of the Thermalism Institute in Dax?
Every year, we welcome around a hundred students. For high school graduates, we offer practical training in hydrotherapy care. This national diploma of hydrotherapist allows them to work in thermal or thalassotherapy establishments.
We also offer three professional licenses accessible from Bac+2: sanitary technician for water networks, balneotherapy manager and spa manager or assistant spa manager. We also have a training program for project managers in health, prevention, and nutrition, and we welcome first-year students from the PASS (specific health access course) program.
Finally, we award an interuniversity diploma (DIU) in medical practice in a thermal station. This DIU is awarded in collaboration with other partner universities, including the Universities of Nancy, Montpellier, Toulouse, and Clermont-Ferrand. We pool all our teachings and at the national level, we have around fifty medical students trained each year.
And in terms of research?
The Institute specializes in applied research related to the management of the health risk of thermal waters and thermal muds. We are currently working on the European project SUDOE (territorial cooperation program of the southwestern European space) through the AQUAPRED program. This involves creating an Artificial Intelligence tool for the prevention and management of natural mineral waters or thermal waters. Tests are being carried out in the experimental pool of the Thermalism Institute, and pilots are being implemented in the field, notably at the Saubusse Thermal Baths and Les Thermes in Dax residence.
You are at the heart of thermal medicine education. What are the profiles of new thermal doctors?
Among our students, we find more and more young doctors, especially interns. In parallel, we train practitioners in the latter part of their career, often around 50-55 years old. They have the desire to leave emergency medicine, or any other fast-paced medical fields.
The progressive introduction of salaried thermal doctors in thermal establishments is an important lever to encourage these healthcare professionals to embark on this path. Some young doctors want to spend one or two seasons working in thermal resorts to discover a region and its activities. Many new doctors are very mobile and do not aspire to settle in one geographic location throughout their careers. This is a societal trend that medicine cannot ignore!
What is your vision of thermalism in the future?
I am committed to maintaining the conventional three-week spa treatment format. However, it may be necessary to make adjustments to personalize the reception and care of spa guests. After my discussions with Professor Rocques and Professor Bauduer, I would say that a spa treatment should last at least two weeks to be effective. So, perhaps imagine two-week spa treatment formats. Why not also develop four-week spa treatment formats? Especially for patients who have had complicated hospitalizations and/or who have been in a rehabilitation care center (SSR). Before returning home, it would be wise to have a spa treatment stay.
Besides the formats, I believe that we need to integrate more prevention, health education programs. The thermal establishment will become a public health facility. We must maintain the well-being aspect, but not all ambitions should focus on that. Finally, in terms of communication, thermalism professionals must continue their efforts to provide a positive and modern vision of thermalism. We need to restore the reputation of thermal establishments!
Source: Exclusive interview with Karine Dubourg on March 3, 2026
Photo credit: Arthur Péquin
