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 10/01/20

Welcome to the 38th edition, featuring a Nature paper examining blood lactate levels in ME/CFS patients whilst at rest and a paper investigating the effect of pharmaceutical intervention on NK cell cytotoxicity in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy individuals.
Meg's 50th Birthday Fundraiser

I'm fundraising to give hope and help to the 250,000 people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) across Australia. ME/CFS sorely lacks funding for advocacy, patient support and research, so anything you can contribute would be welcome.
Siobhan's 30th Birthday Fundraiser

I'm fundraising to give hope and help to the 250,000 people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) across Australia.
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.'

Accessibility
Siobhan's 30th Birthday Fundraiser

I'm fundraising to give hope and help to the 250,000 people living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) across Australia.
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.'
What is ME/CFS?

Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a complex and disabling disease that affects many parts of the body, including the brain and muscles, as well as the digestive, immune and cardiac systems, among others.
Research Digest 10/01/20

Welcome to the 38th edition, featuring a Nature paper examining blood lactate levels in ME/CFS patients whilst at rest and a paper investigating the effect of pharmaceutical intervention on NK cell cytotoxicity in ME/CFS patients compared to healthy individuals.
Treatment and management

The goal of treatment for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is to improve a patient's quality of life and to provide relief from symptoms.
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.
National Disability Insurance Scheme

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is designed to help support people with disability. Click here to access resources developed to assist people with ME/CFS to understand the NDIS and what is required to apply.
Research Digest 17/05/19

Welcome to the 23rd edition, featuring articles on the validation of impaired transient receptor potential melastatin 3 ion channel activity in natural killer cells from ME/CFS patients, and markers of non-coeliac wheat sensitivity in patients with ME/CFS.

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