Problematic training courses - please add

Sly Saint

Sly Saint

Senior Member (Voting Rights)
I and others thought it might be useful to have a thread where people can post any training courses they come across that are dodgy or have incorrect/old/false information about ME or CFS.
At this stage it is purely for future reference purposes.
Thanks.

If you add any please could you give some idea (if applicable) which country its for.


I'll start with this one I found a while ago:
USA
https://www.continuingeducation.com/course/cmez512/fundamentals-of-chronic-fatigue-syndrome/

And this one
Based in UK
http://www.thechrysaliseffect.com/researchseries
"
Thank you so much for supporting the Research Webinar Series exploring in more detail the latest research discoverd in the PACE Trial
This webinar series is a must if you are seeing clients with the multi-faceted symptoms that lead to chronic fatigue and Fibromyalgia.

As leaders in recovery it was fantastic to see Professor Sharpe’s research published this month.

His findings are somewhat controversial - 'Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Sufferers can Overcome Symptoms of ME with Positive Thinking and Exercise'"
 
https://ce.mayo.edu/psychiatry-and-psychology/content/psychiatry-medical-settings-2018

Psychiatry in Medical Settings 2018
Sarasota, FL US
January 25, 2018 to January 27, 2018

The Psychiatry in Medical Settings course returns for its seventh year. The course will provide up to date reviews of depression, anxiety, somatic symptom problems, suicide risk, and substance use in medical-surgical patients. Updates also will be provided on somatic symptom disorders, functional gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, obesity, transplant psychiatry and psycho-oncology. Each day will include a Featured Topic that will be covered in depth by a group of medical and behavioral specialists through well-coordinated didactic presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops.

Featured Topics for 2018 will be Functional Neurologic Disorders, Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and Traumatic Brain Injuries.

The course has been well-attended by both mental health and general medical practitioners, providing opportunities for free exchange of ideas from multiple vantage points. The course directors are Drs. Jeffrey Staab and Robert Bright, experienced clinician-educators and researchers in the field of psychosomatic medicine.
 
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Can't quite make up my mind about this one, but I suspect it is on the wrong side of middling.

https://www.yogacampus.com/specialist-courses/teaching-yoga-for-me-chronic-fatigue-syndrome

Some tentatively good ...
  • An overview of definitions, contributing factors and the latest scientific understanding of fatigue conditions
  • The recent research and implications of relapse in ME/CFS
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Some not-so-tentatively bad ...
... you will learn how to help students safely regain strength
  • Considerations for the mind-set of those with CFS and Burnout ...
... This course follows on well from the Teaching Yoga for Stress and Burnout one, for a well-rounded and in-depth experiential understanding of how it feels to move and live from an exhausted state.
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From what I can gather, the WVU Medicine program below was adapted from a Stanford University program designed specifically for cancer survivors. WVU expanded the program to include various chronic diseases, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Here is the original Stanford program, which applies only to cancer survivors:
Stanford University said:
Living Strong Living Well (LSLW) is a twelve-week small-group strength and fitness training program designed for adult cancer survivors who have recently become de-conditioned or chronically fatigued from their treatment and/or disease. Our goal is to help patients build muscle mass and muscle strength, increase flexibility and endurance; and improve functional ability and quality of life.
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If only Chronic Fatigue Syndrome patients were simply "deconditioned or chronically fatigued" like cancer patients. Yet again, medical professionals conflating "chronic fatigue" with "chronic fatigue syndrome".

Next is the WVU Medicine program, which expands the Stanford "Living Strong Living Well" strength and fitness cancer survivor program to various chronic diseases, including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:
WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center said:
http://wvumedicine.org/news/article...medical-center-announces-living-well-program/

WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center announces Living Well Program
Posted on 9/19/2017
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – WVU Medicine Berkeley Medical Center, in collaboration with the Berkeley County Health Department, has announced a new program for those dealing with chronic disease and/or diabetes.

Living Well, a chronic disease self-management program, is a health workshop to help individuals coping with one or more chronic diseases learn to take day-to-day responsibility for their care, increase the skills necessary to manage their disease, and work effectively with their healthcare professional. In addition, participants will learn problem-solving and decision-making skills, which enable them to confront the ever-changing challenges of living with a chronic illness.

A new workshop begins Oct. 4 and meets every Wednesday through Nov. 8 from 9:30-11:45 a.m. in the 2nd floor conference room of the McCormack Center on the Berkeley Medical Center campus. The registration deadline is Sept. 29.

Living Well was developed by the Patient Education Research Center at the Stanford University School of Medicine. Leaders have been trained in the curriculum and follow Stanford’s guidelines, which have been medically approved and rigorously tested to ensure effectiveness.

Participants of Living Well have reported significant changes in health, such as less fatigue, less disability, improved functioning, and fewer hospital stays. Participants have also shown improvements in exercise adherence, pain and stress management, communication with physicians, and more confidence in their ability to manage their conditions.

Workshops consist of six weekly, two-hour sessions. Each participant receives a “Living a Healthy Life” book. Program content includes learning the skills that can help participants:
  • Develop and maintain a long-term exercise program
  • Manage fatigue
  • Deal with anger, depression and other negative emotions
  • Manage pain and stress without medication
  • Communicate better with family/friends/physicians
  • Use prescribed medication appropriately
  • Eat healthier
  • Make informed treatment decisions
  • Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills
Living Well is free and open to those with one or more chronic conditions. Everyone can benefit from learning the skills to coordinate all the activities needed to manage their health, as well as help them maintain a full and active life.

Those with the following chronic conditions are encouraged to participate: heart disease, lung disease, arthritis, stroke diabetes, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome or asthma. It is very useful for individuals with chronic conditions who also struggle with weight management issues.

Participants are welcome to bring a family member or friend with them.

To register or for more information, contact Dana M.DeJarnett at 304-264-1287, ext. 31814 or ddejarnett@wvumedicine.org.

For media inquiries: Teresa McCabe, Vice President Marketing & Development, 304-264-1223
tmccabe@wvumedicine.org
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UK "online diploma course" for "sufferers and carers" based on the model that ME/CFS is the result of stress/burnout/adrenal fatigue. Hurry, they just dropped the price. :laugh:

https://www.centreofexcellence.com/shop/mechronic-fatigue-syndrome-awareness-course/
Health & Complementary Therapies said:
ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Course

What will you learn?
We live in a world of stressors and many people go into a state of burnout at some point. If the stress that the individual must deal with on a long-term basis outweighs their chance and ability to rest; ME or CFS may very well be the result. This course aims to help with the understanding of these conditions.

The first third focuses on knowledge, information and awareness of the condition whilst the remainder of the course focuses on de-stressing every area of life in order to allow adrenal healing to occur and to be able to create a positive future.

The ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Diploma Course has been written with the most up-to-date information as to the best methods for recovery of these conditions in a holistic manner. It includes case studies of people that have recovered from these conditions and how they did it, underlying issues that you might be missing and how to heal yourself from the inside out.

The comprehensive, and potentially life-changing, ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Awareness Diploma Course has been designed for the sufferers and carers of those with these conditions. Although designed with self-help in mind you do not need to be diagnosed with the syndrome to benefit from studying this course.

Our adrenal glands are small glands that sit atop our kidneys and deal with every stressor that enters our lives. Stressors include physical, mental and emotional events or long term coping, as opposed to being happy and regularly resting.
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One from the OHC:
"
Introduction to EFT and CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia

Overview
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is at the forefront of the new field broadly defined as Energy Psychology.

By tapping on certain acupuncture points whilst being tuned into emotions, research has found that powerful releases and healing can happen. For over a decade the team at The Optimum Health Clinic has been developing applications of EFT for working with people with CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia. In this introductory series Emma Johnson, EFT trainer and OHC psychology practitioner, teaches the fundamentals of EFT as used by the clinic team."

https://www.consciouslife.com/introduction-to-eft-cfs-me-fibromyalgia/

:emoji_duck::emoji_duck::emoji_duck::emoji_duck:
 
https://psychosomatic.conferenceseries.com/
Psychosomatic Medicine 2018 said:
35th International Conference on
Psychiatry & Psychosomatic Medicine
November 01-03, 2018 Brussels, Belgium

Theme: Discovering the Challenges Regarding Excellence in Psychiatry and Psychosomatic Medicine
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Psychosomatic Medicine 2018 said:
Track 9:
Somatic Symptom Disorder

A Somatic Symptom disorder, formerly known as a Somatoform disorder, it is a mental disorder which manifests as physical symptoms that suggest illness or injury, but which cannot be explained fully by a general medical condition or by direct effect of a substance, and are not attributable to another mental disorder Example: Panic Disorder. Some of the Somatic Disorders, as a group, are included in a number of diagnostic schemes of mental illness, including the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
  • Migraine
  • Hysteria
  • Hypochondriasis
  • Chronic fatigue syndrome
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Chronic Fatigue Syndrome included in somatoform disorders.

http://mps.ca/spring18/

Current Conceptualization and Assessment of Somatoform Disorders
Spring Workshop
Friday, May 4, 2018
Manitoba Psychological Society

The types of claimed disorders in which somatoform presentations may be found will be described, including postconcussion syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, nonepileptic seizures, chronic pain/fibromyalgia, adult ADHD, chronic fatigue syndrome, and autoimmune disorders.
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http://psychiatry-mentalhealth.puls...for-abstracts/child-and-adolescent-psychiatry
Global Experts Meeting on
Psychiatry and Mental Health
July 23-24, 2018
Rome, Italy

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Child & adolescent psychiatry focus on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental disorders in children as well as adult. Child and adolescent psychiatry has the multidisciplinary channel disorder of emotion and behavior that have their origins in neurophysiology, genetics, and in environmental factors that affect the child's growth and development. Most common childhood mental disorders are anxiety disorders, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Normally the children with mental disorder will have lower achievement in the education and great involvement in the criminal justice system.

Various treatments are available for treating child mental disorder/mental illness like several effective medications, educational or occupational interventions, as well as specific forms of psychotherapy. In a year almost one- fourth of children and teens experience some type of mental disorder.
  • Track 1-1 Brain & ADHD
  • Track 2-2 Behavioural Problems in Child and Youth
  • Track 3-3 Anxiety Disorders and Somatoform Disorders
  • Track 4-4 Neuro developmental Problems
  • Track 5-5 Eating Disorder and Learning Disabilities
  • Track 6-6 Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Psychotropic Treatments
  • Track 7-7 Criticism in Child Psychiatry
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I am not sure if this is dodgy or not as haven't got access to the detail, but thought it was interesting that ME is included in a fairly well recognised (in UK) training course.

BTEC Level 3 Health and Social Care Unit 14 Physiological Disorders Learning Aim B and C resources

"
B2. Diagnostic procedures for physiological disorders
o Procedures based on specific signs and symptoms, e.g. lumbar puncture, biopsy
o Importance of recognising non-specific or confusing symptoms, e.g. myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME)."

https://www.tes.com/teaching-resour...rders-learning-aim-b-and-c-resources-11967213
 
Sly Saint said:
One from the OHC:
"
Introduction to EFT and CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia

Overview
Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is at the forefront of the new field broadly defined as Energy Psychology.

By tapping on certain acupuncture points whilst being tuned into emotions, research has found that powerful releases and healing can happen. For over a decade the team at The Optimum Health Clinic has been developing applications of EFT for working with people with CFS, ME and Fibromyalgia. In this introductory series Emma Johnson, EFT trainer and OHC psychology practitioner, teaches the fundamentals of EFT as used by the clinic team."

https://www.consciouslife.com/introduction-to-eft-cfs-me-fibromyalgia/

:emoji_duck::emoji_duck::emoji_duck::emoji_duck:
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During my bank balance-draining, ten year long quest last century to find a treatment that would do something about my
ME/CFS/FM, my complementary medicine doctor put me onto this. In the spirit of leaving no stone unturned and feeling like a total nutjob, I tapped and tapped, but to no avail of course. I recall there was one unexpected effect: after tapping for a while I would take a deep breath and feel quite relaxed for a short while. A bit like meditation perhaps? I can't compare because meditation gives me the jitters.
 
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I'm not sure if ME/CFS is mentioned specifically on this website about the training programme,

http://www.thriveprogramme.org/train/

but it is listed as one of the conditions people who train to be thrive consultants can supposedly help clients overcome;

https://thrivelondon.co.uk/myalgic-encephalomyelitis-me-post-viral-fatigue-pvfs-and-chronic-fatigue/

And;

http://thrivewithian.com/health-concerns-the-thrive-program-merseyside/

http://steviechan.com/the-thrive-programme/

And there's the usual, it cured my CFS claims;

http://thriveyourlife.co.uk/2017/09/30/overcame-chronic-fatigue-syndrome-learned-thrive/

It looks like the "false illness beliefs" approach to treating ME/CFS and sounds very similiar to the Lightning Process crap.

It claims to be a programme developed by Cambridge psychologists/therapists and appears to be mostly UK based, but does have consultants in a few other countries.

This statement cracks me up;

"Our methods are all evidence based. In fact the Thrive programme is a really easy way to get the benefit of loads of research papers, without having to read any of them (unless you want to, in which case we’ll give you a copy)!"
(From this page, http://robkelly.org/can-help-thrive/)

I guess that means we don't need to have any concerns that the research might not be methodologically robust as they have kindly vetted it all for us.

The page of references comes with a special heading, just in case you didn't know how scientific all this "evidenced-based" evidence is -

"WARNING: NERDY ACADEMIC STUFF BELOW!"

http://www.thriveprogramme.org/research/

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to put this in. If there is a thread I missed that warns people of the cultish - and very expensive - positive thinking psychobabble courses that claim to be able to cure their ME/CFS, please feel to relocate this.
 
There's the METRIC training from FINE trial researchers that is being promoted by the RCGPs and is heavily based on PACE/FINE.

I posted about that here: https://www.s4me.info/threads/uk-21...red-by-carol-monaghan.4468/page-20#post-85584

The Minister at Carol Monaghan's second PACE trial debate tried to present METRIC as a good thing:

The NIHR has, since 2011, provided £3.37 million of funding for projects and training on ME. That might not be termed biomedical research, but as with other disorders, given that the cause and mechanisms of the condition are still poorly understood, it is important that we carry out both biomedical research, to further our understanding, and applied health research, to improve the treatment offered to people with ME now and to help to improve their symptoms and quality of life.

...
The Royal College of General Practitioners oversees GP training in England. It provides an online course for GPs and other primary care practitioners that includes an overview of the presentation, diagnosis, assessment and ongoing management of ME. The course highlights common misconceptions about ME and considers the challenges that surround that complex condition for patients, carers and primary care professionals. It is produced as part of the METRIC study, which is funded by the NIHR.
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https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commo...4E35-A83B-49FEF0D6074F/METreatmentAndResearch
 
Not sure if this is problematic or not but looks interesting:

http://training.ucheducationcentre.org/home/viewcourse/303/

CFS/ME in Young People - Multi-professional management

ARE YOU A DOCTOR, NURSE, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST, PHYSIOTHERAPIST, PSYCHOLOGIST, TEACHER OR SOCIAL WORKER AND DEAL WITH YOUNG PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME/MYALGIC ENCEPHALOMYELITIS? THEN WE HAVE THE COURSE FOR YOU!

The UCH Education Centre are proud to annouce they will be hosting a 1 day course designed to equip members of the multi-disciplinary team to better assess and manage young people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis with course leads Dr Terry Segal and Dr Emma Parish.

CFS/ME is an important disabling illness, with uncertain cause and prognosis. As a result, children with CFS/ME can find themselves living with greater uncertainty and stigma, exacerbating the impact of the condition.

Choose from sessions that cater to individuals new to the field, or to those with years of experience.

The course will include lectures and workshops covering:

  • Medical diagnosis and associated conditions
  • The role of psychological interventions
  • Sleep and CFS
  • Graded Exercise/Activity management
  • Commonly used Medications
  • Education and Transitions
  • Patient Participation
 
Sbag said:
Not sure if this is problematic or not but looks interesting:

http://training.ucheducationcentre.org/home/viewcourse/303/

CFS/ME in Young People - Multi-professional management
Click to expand...

This is a UK course (NHS) University College London Hospitals.
The course timetable:
http://training.ucheducationcentre.org/uploads/CFS_course_timetable_2018.pdf

one of the sessions is called
'Why not CBT or why NOT CBT - the case for practice based evidence over evidence based practice'

But I think from looking at the rest the 'spin' very much in line with the CBT/GET approach although there is a workshop on 'Pacing for experts or for the more experienced'...........not quite sure why you should have to be an expert to learn about pacing(?)

eta: also found this course being 'advertised' on this site:
http://www.youngpeopleshealth.org.uk/events/events-calendar
 
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Sly Saint said:
This is a UK course (NHS) University College London Hospitals.
The course timetable:
http://training.ucheducationcentre.org/uploads/CFS_course_timetable_2018.pdf

Why not CBT or why NOT CBT - the case for practice based evidence over evidence based practice

But I think from looking at the rest the 'spin' very much in line with the CBT/GET approach although there is a workshop on 'Pacing for experts or for the more experienced'...........not quite sure why you should have to be an expert to learn about pacing(?)
Click to expand...
Pacing for experts what a joke patients are the experts
 
Is it just that I’m newish to this or is there a flurry of training activity from these clinics?? Or maybe it is because @Sly Saint is picking up and advertising and it’s always been going on. Just wondering if it is part of trying to hold on/ justifying their existence with NICE review coming. “We do so much work to educate GPs and other professions......”
 
Health and Life Rebalancing Programme
https://www.fatigueguide.com/courses/

...Some of my clients had been stuck in the stress and fatigue cycle for so long that their condition had become chronic, but the recovery approach was always the same, focusing on the 3 key areas; Physical, Emotional, Psychological ( The PEP Approach) in order to rebalance the system.

As well as helping people who’ve been stuck for some time with conditions like Chronic Fatigue (CFS) and ME I also focus on helping people to avoid getting to that point. Experience has taught me that those chronic conditions don’t just suddenly arrive, when we look at the history of anyone suffering from a chronic stress-related condition there’s always been a build-up of stress over time.

Many people have shared with me that they were just getting by and then some additional stressor (a virus, work-related issue, bereavement, relationship stress etc.) arrives and seems to tip them over the edge and without the right help some of these people then get stuck for years or even decades.

What I’ve discovered is that whether the condition has become chronic, or you realise that your current stress and/or fatigue levels are unsustainable, there is a way to re-train your system, enabling you to live a happier, healthier and more fulfilling life.
 
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