Introduction
It has long been the experience of patients with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) that their doctors have little knowledge and understanding of the condition, and are largely unable to help. Worse, many report that their doctors do not appear to believe their illness is real, resulting in tragic lack of support.1,2,3 Examination of sample medical curriculums in the United Kingdom in 2018 confirmed that as far as could be determined, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis was not in the syllabus at either undergraduate or postgraduate levels. It is therefore quite conceivable that patients’ widely reported impression is indeed true.
Methods
In this exercise we attempt to quantify doctors’ knowledge and understanding of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis. A questionnaire was developed with input from experts in the field (Appendix 1). At a unique regional training event, where physicians at ST3-8 level were scheduled to receive a short introductory lecture on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, the questionnaires were handed out and returned on the same day.
In order to capture baseline data, respondents were asked to base their answers on their knowledge before hearing the lecture. The results are analysed below. Apart from the last question, about further education on ME, questions left unanswered are counted as “Don’t know”.
