On Sep 19, Fred Friedberg, PhD, President of the IACFS/ME (www.iacfsme.org), informed the community of a major step toward better ME/CFS patient care.
To speed and broaden the education of healthcare professionals regarding evidence-based understanding, diagnosis and management of ‘chronic fatigue syndrome’ (ME/CFS) symptoms, a team of IACFS/ME members – leading ME/CFS clinical specialists and researchers* – have developed a Practice Primer for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
Now the new 42-page 2012 ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners is available in a free access PDF file or spiral bound print booklet, and may be translated according to certain requirements, as follows:
1. The free-access PDF file. Patients, advocates, educators and practitioners are encouraged to download, print out, and distribute this as widely as possible.
• To view, download or print the Primer, just go to:
http://www.iacfsme.org/Portals/0/PDF/PrimerFinal3.pdf
• To post a link to the Primer on your website, use this link:
http://www.iacfsme.org/Portals/0/PDF/PrimerFinal3.pdf
Access to the Primer PDF is free, though donations are needed and greatly appreciated! A suggested donation of $15 via Paypal, or your own amount via Paypal will help support the IACFS/ME’s “continuing advocacy efforts for increased scientific research and improved patient care.” To select a Paypal donation, go to http://www.iacfsme.org/Home/Primer/tabid/509/Default.aspx
Or donate by mail to:
The International Association for CFS/ME
27 N. Wacker Drive Suite 416
Chicago, IL 60606
2. The spiral bound print version of the ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners. This format makes the Primer easy to use, especially for quick referencing of specific sections that may be of interest. It will be mailed directly to you, and can be ordered for $15 from www.theBookPatch.com.
3. Information regarding possible translation of the ME/CFS Primer for Clinical Practitioners. For information about this opportunity and contact information, go to http://www.iacfsme.org/Home/Primer/tabid/509/Default.aspx and scroll down.
The IACFS/ME indicates that it welcomes comments and suggestions about the Primer, and that it will publish updates online "as the field evolves."
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* The developers of this consensus document are: Fred Friedberg, Lucinda Bateman, Alison Bested, Todd Davenport, Kenneth Friedman, Alan Gurwitt, Leonard Jason, Charles Lapp, Staci Stevens, Rosemary Underhill, Rosamund Vallings.
