Haven't listened/watched myself but noises from those who have indicate a mixed bag, some excellent presentations, some ho-hum and some plain bad. So far largely ignored by the media apart from this article:
Excellent (albeit unfortunately time-poor) initial talks, setting the scene for a purely biological cause against a well-established history of (ignored) postviral disease. Strong references to ME/CFS while recognising that LC had overlap with core similarities but a different symptom spectrum, with some unique features that likely relate to this particular virus. Opened with a keynote of one patient's lived experience which included many of the usual failures we are accustomed to, along with attempts by the patient community to help themselves having been "left to swing" by healthcare systems (in NZ and globally).
Emphasis on inadequate biomedical / poor psychosocial research being a failure of the past that needs to be corrected. Psychiatry/psychology presenters that followed seemed to disavow any BPS and adopt a supportive role. A number of good talks about health inequity including a truly excellent and fiery one that reviewed the situation for Māori living in more remote areas.
Was good to hear the Disability Commissioner indicate that LC (and by extension ME) were to be regarded as disabilities
by definition. If there is actual follow-through on the ground, or specifically in legislation, this would be a big advance. Many patients in NZ struggle to receive appropriate social support on top of no useful medical care, which is both ridiculous and shameful.
I think the stand-out bad one was focused solely on concerns for the GPs, who were about to be overwhelmed. I think he was actually calling for patients to please not seek help. I could only think that medicine has made its own failure here and could probably have quoted from any number of S4ME threads in that regard. I'm sorry, but GPs and health systems as a whole, globally, are just going to have to suck it up. Consider it deferred maintenance costs: the bill is now due with a substantial interest penalty.
Due to timezone, Trish Greenhalgh offered a pre-recorded piece on what NZ could learn from the UK experiences. Six-point (A-F) framework: from listening to the patient to prioritising research.
I would have preferred a bit more time for discussion on the biomedical knowledge already gained and where we needed to go, but words were offered to suggest that research funding should follow. NZ is restructuring its health system, so there are potential opportunities if people are truly listening. Quite a bit of time was spent on recognising and discussing health inequities and systemic racism, which were noted to be very relevant in LC and that would propagate down a generation to make things even worse.
Overall, a well received seminar I think. BPS would appear to have no foot in the door with LC in NZ; and could well be regarded to have had the boot for ME too. Timely given the APPG report and related commentary recently from the UK. I think we will still have work to do to educate those of our GPs and specialists who seem very stuck in the BPS mindset, but those in charge of the health system itself seemed to be on-track.
and are comfort eating or do not exercise enough! or just need to accept you will be. Your choice to go to a weight disorder clinic but no suggestion given what this actually is ?medical ?private what..
