Position Statements

Emerge Australia offers official position statements on specific subjects of relevance to the Australian ME/CFS community and Health Professionals.

Diagnostic Criteria Position Statement

There are approximately 20 different sets of diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS which have been developed over the history of the disease. This has created inconsistency in research, as different diagnostic criteria result in participant samples which are not easily compared between studies. Read more

Links between ME/CFS and Long COVID Position Statement

Emerge Australia recognises the close links between ME/CFS and Long COVID. Scientific studies indicate that the most frequent shared symptoms of people with Long COVID and people with ME/CFS are post-exertional malaise (PEM), cognitive difficulties and fatigue. Read more

Clinical Guidelines Position Statement

It is a matter of urgency for Australia to update its clinical guidelines for ME/CFS, to ensure that Australian ME/CFS patients have access to the best possible care, based on current understanding of the condition and latest evidence. Read more

Telehealth Position Statement

Emerge Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s announcement that Medicare rebates will be made permanent for online and over-the-phone telehealth services provided by GPs, specialists and allied health practitioners. Read more

Latest

Our GPs need to know what to do: We have the plan, we need the funds

Emerge Australia has written a 5 years plan for GP Education about ME/CFS, Long COVID and post-viral diseases, accessible to all of Australia’s GPs.
What will it take for Australia to get new clinical guidelines for ME/CFS?

$1,200,000 is required over 2 years for the development of national clinical guidelines for ME/CFS It is a matter of urgency for Australia to update its clinical guidelines for ME/CFS, to ensure Australian ME/CFS patients have access to the best possible care, based on current understanding of the condition and latest evidence.
Australians with ME/CFS need Optimal Care Pathways

$1,100,000 is required over 5 years for an Optimal Care Pathway for ME/CFS. Optimal Care Pathways (OCP) support integrated shared care across the entire health system. Such innovative approaches to the coordination of non-clinical service delivery have achieved improved outcomes for patients in other settings.
Changes to the Support and Services programs

With the completion of our Patient Pathways telehealth pilot program on June 30, 2022 we will be making some changes to how the service works and the programs it delivers.