Continuing Professional Development

Information expressed in these courses is not necessarily the official view of ME/CFS SA and does not imply endorsement of any treatment, services or products.

Australia

ThinkGP Online CPD Education Platform

Part 1 - Busting the myths and redefining myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Hours: 1 | RACGP: 2pts | ACRRM: 1hr

"ME/CFS is a complex, chronic, debilitating disease with systemic effects, which is estimated to affect up to 250,000 Australians. This module aims to educate GPs and others working in the primary care space about our evolving understanding of ME/CFS as an illness, and looks at some of the myths surrounding diagnosis and treatment."

Part 2 - Ensuring a patient-centred approach to care for people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS)

Hours: 1 | RACGP: 2pts | ACRRM: 1hr

"Providing care for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) requires a patient-centred approach with a focus on quality of life and incorporating the multidisciplinary team. This second module on ME/CFS provides detail on making a differential diagnosis, the non-core symptoms of ME/CFS, management in specific populations, and the development of a patient-centred treatment plan."

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Videos designed for CPD

Dialogues for a neglected illness

These expert discussions are accompanied by links to resources, including peer-reviewed articles. Provided by Dialogues for a Neglected Illness, a UK Wellcome Public Engagement Fund Project.

Introduction to ME/CFS
Presented by: Prof Jonathan Edwards, Dr Luis Nacul, Dr Eliana Lacerda, Caroline Kingdon, Dr Nina Muirhead, Dr Nigel Speight, Dr Charles Shepherd, Dr David Systrom, David Tuller Dr PH, Prof Brian Hughes, Prof Mark VanNess.

Video: Introduction to ME/CFS - 14:45 mins

Post-exertional malaise
Presented by: Dr Luis Nacul, Dr Christopher Snell, Staci Stevens, Prof Mark VanNess, Prof Todd Davenport, Dr Nina Muirhead, Dr Nigel Speight, Dr David Systrom, Dr Charles Shepherd.
Recognition of PEM is critical in establishing an accurate diagnosis but can be easily missed. In two videos, ME/CFS experts describe PEM – what it is, how it impacts patients, and what is known about the underlying pathophysiology behind this distinctive phenomenon.

Video 1: A Quick Guide to PEM -5 mins
Video 2: Understanding PEM - 15 mins

Graded Exercise Therapy (GET)
Presented by: Staci Stevens, Dr Christopher Snell, Prof Mark VanNess, Prof Brian Hughes, Prof Jonathan Edwards.

Video 1: Understanding Graded Exercise Therapy for ME/CFS Part One - 8:49 mins
Video 2: Understanding Graded Exercise Therapy for ME/CFS Part Two, the Pace trial - 8:59 mins

Severe ME/CFS
Presented by: Dr Nigel Speight, Dr William Weir, Carolyn Kingdon, Dr Nina Muirhead, Dr Luis Nacul, Dr Charles Shepherd, and Prof Todd Davenport
ME/CFS has a spectrum of symptom severity, with the most severely affected remaining entirely bed bound and relying on others for their basic survival needs, including feeding and toileting. These videos describe the symptoms and level of impairment seen in severe and very severe ME/CFS and provide recommendations for tailoring clinical care in these particular cases.

Video 1: Severe & Very Severe ME/CFS - 15 mins
Video 2: Symptoms and management of very severe ME/CFS - 19 mins
Video 3: Hospital Admission - 16 mins

Orthostatic Intolerance

Provided by: Bateman Horne Center.
Orthostatic Intolerance (OI) is measurable, and the ability to identify and manage it can greatly improve patient outcomes and daily functioning.

Video: Part 1 discusses ways to assess and measure orthostatic intolerance.
Video: Part 2 discusses interventions and management.
Both videos - 6 mins

Update on ME/CFS

Presented by: Dr Lucinda Bateman. Provided by: The Michigan State Medical Society.

Part 1: Clinical Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/CFS now called Myalgic Encephalomyelitis or ME/CFS
The first module is intended to help medical providers identify the core diagnostic criteria of ME/CFS and more confidently make a diagnosis. Each of the diagnostic criteria will be discussed, supported by a brief discussion of the evidence.
The course is free. Length: 52 mins. Expires 31/01/2022.

Part 2: Uniting Compassion, Attention and Innovation to treat ME/CFS
The second module is designed to help medical providers recognise treatable aspects of ME/CFS and to create effective management plans in the absence of formal treatment guidelines. The focus is on the core diagnostic criteria and common co-morbidities amenable to physiological modifications, behavioral modifications, and other treatment approaches.
The course is free. Length: 53 mins. Expires 31/01/2022.

International Continuing Medical Education

CDC and Medscape

A free Medscape account is necessary for access.

Diagnosing Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Experts Weigh In
(Authors: Lucinda Bateman, MD; Natalie Azar, MD; Nancy Klimas, MD; José Montoya, MD)
The goal is to increase recognition of symptoms of ME/CFS when assessing patients who present with chronic fatigue. Content also includes evidence-based approaches for alleviation of ME/CFS symptoms.
The course is free. Expires 26/02/2021.

ME/CFS: Test Your Strengths and Gaps in Knowledge
(Author: Nancy Klimas, MD)
The goal is to self-assess clinician knowledge of diagnosing and managing patients with ME/CFS.
The course is free. Expires 15/05/2021.

ME/CFS: A Case-Based Learning Module
(Author: Steven Gluckman, MD)
This activity is intended for primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners (NPs), and other healthcare providers (HCPs) involved in the diagnosis and management of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).
The goal of this activity is to increase clinicians' knowledge in the diagnosis and management of patients with ME/CFS.
The course is free. Expires 23/04/2021.

Occupational Therapists

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Symptom Management & Treatment of ME/CFS.
(Presenter: Amy Mooney, MS, OTR/L, Advocate and Caregiver)
Current research, physician specialist and patient interviews, and case-study examples will advance OT practitioners' best-practice treatment approach for individuals with ME/CFS.
AOTA member US$20, non-member US$25.

Physical Therapists

ME/CFS for Physical Therapists: Introduction, identification, etiology and management.
(Presented by: Dr Todd Davenport, Dr Mark VanNess, and Ms Staci Stevens). This is a two-part series provided by Medbridge, incorporating the latest information on recognition, etiology, and activity management of patients.

Part 1 provides background on the clinical features and objective evidence of exercise impairments.
Part 2 discusses results of exercise testing and use of energy conservation (pacing), self-management strategies, and activity strategies for ME/CFS.
Each part costs $100 or is by subscription. No expiration specified.

Rehabilitation

Workwell Foundation and MedBridge have partnered to provide accredited online courses on the topic of ME/CFS for rehabilitation professionals including physical, occupational and speech therapists as well as nurses and other health care providers. The courses are presented by Todd Davenport DPT, Mark VanNess Ph.D and Staci Stevens MA, who are leading experts in the field.

ME/CFS Part 1: Introduction and Identification
ME/CFS Part 2: Etiology and analeptic management (Accessible after completion of Part 1)

Further educational resources are available from Workwell Foundation.

Schooling for children and youth with ME/CFS

Why can't this child get to class? Learn how ME/CFS keeps youth from attending school.
Presented by: Dr Peter Rowe and Lisa Hall, RN. Provided by: Northeastern University School of Nursing and Massachusetts ME/CFS Association.

ME/CFS can cause a level of disability that “keeps afflicted children from attending school for months or even years at a time.” This course describes the prevalence and nature of the illness, the impact of ME/CFS on a child’s education and quality of life, treatment options. The course also includes interviews with two parents of children with ME/CFS.
Length 3.25 hours. The course costs US$25.00. Expiration to be determined.

ME/CFS: School nurses can improve outcomes
Presented by: Beth Mattey, MSN, RN, NCSN, FNASN, Kenneth Friedman, PhD, and Faith Newton, EdD. Provided by: National Association of School Nurses.
Experts in the diagnosis and management of ME/CFS provide school nurses with the knowledge and tools to help school nurses recognise ME/CFS in the student population. Includes resources to share with families, students, administrators and staff members.
Length: 1.25 hours. The course is free. Expires 21/10/2022.

ME/CFS Clinical Cases: Presentation and knowledge assessment

Authored by: Dr Nina Muirhead. Provided by: StudyPRN, a UK organisation that provides continuing professional development courses for UK healthcare providers.
This an online resource presenting 10 clinical cases that provide insight into the nature of ME/CFS, how it impacts patients, and how it’s diagnosed.
Length: 1 hour. The course is free.
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Additional recommended websites

Bateman Horne US ME/CFS Chronic Condition Clinic Research Center

U.S. ME/CFS Clinician Coalition, including extensive lists of tests and treatments for ME/CFS and common co-morbid conditions.