The International Consensus Primer (ICP) is a one-stop user-friendly reference that covers aetiology and pathophysiology of ME/CFS, together with guidance regarding personalised assessment, diagnosis, management and treatment for this complex illness. Included within the guide is a comprehensive clinical assessment and diagnostic worksheet, to enable clear and consistent diagnosis of patients, and treatment guidelines, that set out a holistic approach to patient care, with pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical recommendations.
The ICP has been put together by an international panel of clinicians, researchers, teaching faculty and an independent educator, who have extensive knowledge and experience in the field of ME/CFS. The panel includes Doctors with M.E. Honorary Fellows Dr. Lucinda Bateman and Dr. Nigel Speight.
“Overly inclusive criteria have created misperceptions, fostered cynicism and have had a major negative impact on how ME is viewed by the medical community, patients, their families, as well as the general public. Some medical schools do not include ME in their curriculum with the result that very significant scientific advances and appropriate diagnostic and treatment protocols have not reached many busy medical practitioners. Some doctors may be unaware of the complexity and serious nature of ME. Patients may go undiagnosed and untreated; they may be shunned or isolated.”
“The ICP specifically targets primary care clinicians, as well as specialists in internal medicine. Other medical care practitioners may find it helpful. Medical school faculties are encouraged to include this primer in their curriculum.”
“The International Consensus Panel anticipates that the primer will bring forward movement in enhancing clarity and consistency of diagnoses and treatment of ME internationally.”
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: International Consensus Primer for Medical Practitioners
Excerpt
(download via the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council)
Authors
- Dr Bruce Carruthers
- Marjorie van de Sande
- Dr Kenny De Meirleir
- Dr Nancy Klimas
- Dr Gordon Broderick
- Dr Terry Mitchell
- Professor Donald Staines
- Dr A C Peter Powles
- Dr Nigel Speight
- Dr Rosamund Vallings
- Dr Lucinda Bateman
- Dr David Bell
- Dr Nicoletta Carlo-Stella
- Dr John Chia
- Professor Dr Austin Darragh
- Dr Anne Gerken
- Dr Daehyun Jo
- Dr Donald Lewis
- Dr Alan Light
- Professor Kathleen Light
- Professor Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik
- Dr John McLaren-Howard
- Dr Ismael Mena
- Dr Kunihisa Miwa
- Dr Modra Murovska
- Staci Steven
Dr. Lucinda Bateman
Honorary Fellow
Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Bateman Horne Center of Excellence for ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia, Utah, co-author, International Consensus Criteria, Expert Witness, US Institute of Medicine
Dr. Nigel Speight
Honorary Fellow
Paediatric Physician, Co- Author, International Consensus Criteria, Co-Author, Pediatric Primer in Frontiers in Pediatrics, Advisor, 25% ME Group, Researcher