There has been a flurry of activity in the media recently with Prof. Warren Tate, Dr Rosamund Vallings and others speaking with the media about new research in ME/CFS. The interest of the media has been piqued by Long Covid Syndrome which Dr Vallings suggests maybe Post Viral Syndrome (Radio New Zealand, 03.02.2021).
This new media exposure is very heartening for the ME/CFS community and it is even more encouraging to see that the NZ Doctor magazine has republished in their February edition excellent article on “How to treat ME/CFS” written by Dr Cathy Stephenson and Psychologist Rose Silvester. This will land in many medical practices all over the country which will enable many more medical professionals to learn more about the condition.
Additionally, the Goodfellow Unit which provides continuing education for General Practitioners has created a Medcase for ME/CFS written by Dr Vicki Mount, General Practitioner, with expert review by Dr Rosamund Vallings. This document is written specifically for General practitioners around diagnosis and treatment of the condition.
This increased media exposure is long awaited, and it may signal an increased awareness from the wider community in the condition. The hope is that this will not be another flash in the pan but a sustained increase in awareness raising.
Members can also do their own awareness raising, by forwarding the recording links, magazine articles, and article links on to friends, family, and medical professionals.
Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is the Eastern Bay of Plenty CCIS Field Officer
Reference:
RNZ – Nine to Noon – Kathryn Ryan interviews:
Radio New Zealand. (03.02.2021 ) Dr Rosamund Vallings on Covid long-haulers and CFS-ME
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018782096/dr-rosamund-vallings-on-covid-long-haulers-and-cfs-me
Radio New Zealand. (10.02.2021) Understanding long haul Covid-19
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018782946/understanding-long-haul-covid19
How to treat ME/CFS, New Zealand Doctor.
Mount, V. Vallings, R. Chronic fatigue syndrome/Myalgic encephalomyelitis. Managing CFS/ME in general practice: new ideas. Medcases. The Goodfellow Unit. https://www.goodfellowunit.org/medcases/chronic-fatigue-syndromemyalgic-encephalomyelitis