For health professionals

ME/CFS is a complex neurological disorder. To help doctors to accurately diagnose and support patients with ME/CFS, Emerge Australia keeps this page up to date with the most relevant information, research news and resources for health professionals.

If you have a question, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

A new, accredited GP education module

Registered health professionals can enrol and complete training using this link: GP education module

Treatment and management

Pacing is currently considered to be the most effective management tool. Pacing involves reducing the patient’s physical and cognitive activity to remain within their limited energy reserves with lengthy periods of rest, to minimise post-exertional malaise (PEM) and other symptoms. More information on management and treatment, including pacing is provided on the treatment and management page.

Graded exercise therapy (GET) and cognitive behavioural therapy are no longer recommended as treatments for ME/CFS. More information can be found on the graded exercise therapy and CBT for ME/CFS page.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also have excellent up to date information on all things ME/CFS including treatment and management information. You can access the CDC information here.

ME/CFS resource for school nurses

School nurses can make a big difference in the life of a student with ME/CFS. School nurses are well placed to work in partnership with the student, their family, teaching staff, and the learning and support teams within the school to develop appropriate accommodations that can allow students with ME/CFS to continue to attend school and connect with their peers.

Please read more about supporting students with ME/CFS in a school environment by downloading our flyer.

Telehealth Nurse Service

Emerge Australia operates a Telehealth Nurse Service, which means that we employ a registered nurse to provide case management support for people with ME/CFS. See the telehealth nurse service page for more information.

Keep up with the latest on ME/CFS

Emerge Australia’s fortnightly Research Digest provides links to the latest Australian and international research journal articles on ME/CFS. The journal focuses on biomedical research and contains three or four short write ups of recent research publications.

Read the latest issue or sign up to have the Research Digest delivered by email so that you don't miss out on future issues.

Latest

Research Digest 07/08/20

Welcome to the 53rd edition of the Research Digest. This fortnight's edition features a ME/CFS focused edition of the journal WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment and Rehabilitation.
Research Digest 24/07/20

Welcome to the 52nd edition of the Research Digest. This fortnight's edition features a doppler study of cerebral blood flow when performing a 70-degree head-up tilt test and a perspective paper that discuses ways in which healthcare practitioners can support and provide care to ME/CFS patients.
Research Digest 10/07/20

Welcome to the 51st edition of the Research Digest featuring a study aimed at identifying possible epidemiological and/or clinical factors that could be associated with PEM severity and a UK study into the factors that influence the frequency of GP visits by patients with ME/CFS.
Research Digest 26/06/20

Welcome to the 50th edition of the Research Digest! This edition features a study comparing subjective and objective measures of physical activity in ME/CFS patients and a study that measured and assessed factors that impact on health-related quality-of-life measures in adolescents.

Coronavirus and ME - Simplified facts

Many people with ME/CFS and other vulnerable communities in Australia are concerned about the impacts of the spreading coronavirus disease COVID-19. This is an easy-read resource with the latest information and advice.
Accessibility
Research Digest 10/07/20

Welcome to the 51st edition of the Research Digest featuring a study aimed at identifying possible epidemiological and/or clinical factors that could be associated with PEM severity and a UK study into the factors that influence the frequency of GP visits by patients with ME/CFS.
Bunnings Sausage Sizzle Raises Money for Emerge Australia

'We just wanted to do something for our daughter who was diagnosed about five years ago with sudden onset ME/CFS,' Peter and Bronwyn said. '...after considering a few different options for raising money, we thought about a Bunnings BBQ.'
Health and Wellbeing Survey

Emerge Australia published results from its first ME/CFS Health and Wellbeing Survey in 2018 and launched another survey in 2019. We plan to stay current and informed about the needs of the ME/CFS community by running an updated version of this Health and Wellbeing Survey every three years.
Disability Support Pension

The Disability Support Pension (DSP) is a Centrelink payment providing financial support if you have a physical, intellectual or psychiatric condition that stops you from working. Click here to access resources developed to assist people with ME/CFS to understand DSP and what is required to apply.
Coronavirus and ME

We know that many people with ME/CFS (as well as those caring for them) are experiencing concern about the spread of, and possibly contracting, coronavirus. We recognise that people with chronic illness have valid reasons for additional caution at this time.
Help us to educate people in power about ME/CFS

Help us to continue to improve our ability to educate people in power and people caring for those with ME/CFS
Research Digest 12/06/20

Welcome to the 49th edition of the Research Digest featuring a study investigating the role that Human herpesvirus 6A may play in ME/CFS pathogenesis and an Australian literature review on metabolomic dysregulation in ME/CFS.
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A new, accredited GP education module

Treatment and management

ME/CFS resource for school nurses

Telehealth Nurse Service

Keep up with the latest on ME/CFS

Recommended reading