Unprecedented continuing medical education on ME/CFS brings relief to doctors and patients alikeBy: PANDORA Org TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Feb. 25, 2019 - PRLog -- Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) released groundbreaking, free, on-demand webinars on ME/CFS for healthcare providers to earn CME credits while learning about the highly disabling disease myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). Lucinda Bateman, M.D., from Utah's Bateman Horne Center, an expert in the multisystem illness, presents "Update on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Part 1: Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS now called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS" and "Update on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Part 2: Uniting Compassion, Attention and Innovation to treat ME/CFS," located on MSMS's website.
MSMS is nationally accredited, allocating CME to health care providers across the United States. It's the first time nonprofit entities and patient groups outside the government have offered nationwide CME credits to increase clinicians' knowledge on how to diagnose and care for ME/CFS patients. Bateman stated, "Free continuing medical education online is an effective and affordable way to get information about scientific advances and clinical guidance about ME/CFS to medical providers. I hope this is the first of many such CME programs and that each year will provide an opportunity to add rich new content." ME/CFS is a disease causing severe neurological, immunological and energy production impairments. There are 1 million to 2.5 million Americans living with the disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and over 41,500 in Michigan, according to a 1999 prevalence estimate by Leonard Jason, Ph.D., and colleagues. About 75 percent of patients are women. The CDC calls ME/CFS "America's hidden health crisis." ME/CFS is not taught in medical schools, leaving most doctors misinformed about how to diagnose and treat the illness. This void in knowledge leaves as many as 90 percent of ME/CFS patients undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Oftentimes, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) and graded exercise therapy (GET) are prescribed, harming the patient by increasing symptoms and reducing function. This can lead to bed and home confinement. CBT and GET were removed from the CDC's list of treatment recommendations last year due to these concerns. Lori Kroger, R.N., from PANDORA Org, an advocacy organization in Traverse City, MI, said, "Michigan is leading the way to educate our nation's doctors about this horrific disease. Instead of primary care providers feeling perplexed, and patients feeling abandoned with unmet medical needs, these ME courses will provide immense physician knowledge. The overall goal is to improve patient care by giving providers proper tools." The Institute of Medicine (now the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies) said in its milestone 2015 report:
Bateman Horne Center: A 501(c)3 organization since 2014 with an international footprint. Envisioning a world where patients with ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia are readily diagnosed, effectively treated and widely met with empathy and understanding. BHC is led by Dr. Lucinda Bateman and Suzanne D. Vernon, Ph.D., who bring more than 40 years of combined experience and leadership to treating patients and advancing research. BHC empowers patients, advances research and improves clinical care for all those impacted with ME/CFS and fibromyalgia. Learn more at, Batemanhornecenter.org PANDORA Org: Michigan's Patient Alliance for Neuro-endocrine- End
Account Email Address Account Phone Number Disclaimer Report Abuse
|