I am adding to this post, and breaking it up to make it easier to read!
GG
PS I wonder why the Affiliations has the same place listed 3 times?
Affiliation(s)
Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, United States;
Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, United States;
Center for Community Research, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, United States;
Green Mountain College, Poultney, Vermont, United States
Abstract
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.
References
- [1] T. M. Tidmore, L. A. Jason, L. Chapo-Kroger, S. So, A. Brown, and M. C. Silverman, “Lack of Knowledgeable Healthcare Access for Patients with Neuro-endocrine-immune Diseases,” Frontiers in Clinical Medicine, vol. 2, pp. 46–54, 2015
cont'd
