News from Doctors with ME

I think the statement is generally good, but will likely lead to confusion with this bit which is given a prominent position as one of three quotes before the statement:

The commercial opportunities and implications are also notable, not least for the pharmaceutical and financial services industries.”

If you read through the comments after the statement, they are all fine and welcome comments relevant to the guideline.

The last one, from Richard Ramyar, who is and economist not a clinician, includes the above quote and explains it further. I guess in that context it makes some sense, but to me it shouldn't be highlighted as one of 3 key points directly related to the guideline and its implementation. Doctors with ME have enough on their plates focusing on medical education and implementation. I don't think they have the resources or expertise to make sweeping statements about medico legal, insurance, commercial and industrial developments. With the possible exception of doing something about people like Sharpe and White in their role as advisors to health insurance companies.

I think it's a mistake for Doctors with ME to give a platform to an economist with a different agenda. There may be a place for a different organisation to be set up to investigate and advise on medico-legal, insurance, commercial, etc. aspects of ME. I'd rather DwME stuck to their area of expertise.

But I'm not a member or registered supporter of DwME. I recognise their right to run their organisation as they see fit, and wish them well.


 
Sorry, but financial services industries? I'm all for pointing out that money is to be made finding therapeutics (a point not made like this, but in theory), but I cannot understand the reference to financial services.
Maybe in terms of funding clinical trials?
 
Dr. Richard Ramyar said:
The catchup of medical belief systems, norms and professional standards with the science will reverberate globally and across industries. Including within the indemnity, life, critical illness and health insurance sectors. The practical and legal impact of this on employment, social work and education contexts also cannot be underestimated.
 
Dr. Ramyar's statement extract as referenced by Barry above is very true, but I absolutely agree with @Trish. Yes, medicine operates within a society that has established financial constructs, but this isn't "DoctorsAndEconomistsWithME". Personally, I would have preferred the "commercial opportunities" line perhaps be issued as a part of a separate follow-on piece, commenting on the macroeconomic implications. Very many good quotes overall though.
 
All I saw was a small picture of someone I do not recognise.

No words, at all, to explain why the picture was there.

So I assumed it was art, considered wondering why art was there, and decided against it, as not being any of my business.

ETA - yep, still no words.
 
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