Open AccessAccess to Medical Care for Individuals with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Call for Centers of Excellence
Author(s) -
Madison Sunnquist,
Laura Nicholson,
Leonard A. Jason,
Kenneth J. Friedman
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
modern clinical medicine research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2521-0645
pISSN - 2521-0637
DOI - 10.22606/mcmr.2017.11005
Subject(s) - chronic fatigue syndrome , excellence , medicine , health care , family medicine , population , medical care , physical therapy , environmental health , political science , law , economics , economic growth
The current study sought to better understand the experience of individuals with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) in accessing care for their debilitating illness. Of 898 participants, less than half had ever seen an ME or CFS specialist, though 99% of participants were interested in specialist care. Participants cited geographic and financial barriers as most frequently precluding access to specialists. Furthermore, satisfaction with specialist care greatly exceeded satisfaction with non-specialist care. These findings suggested that individuals with ME and CFS represent a medically-underserved population, due to lack of available care. The CFS Advisory Committee and NIH Pathways to Prevention Working Group recommended the creation of ME and CFS Centers of Excellence to improve the healthcare access of patients with ME and CFS. The current study documents the need for these centers, as they would ameliorate geographic and financial barriers to quality care.