ME Education in Scotland: Challenges and Advocacy

Summary: This document, prepared by the 25% ME Group, highlights the challenges in medical education regarding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) in Scotland and the advocacy efforts of the “Taking ME Forward” (TMEF) initiative. Key points include:

• Medical School Curricula:
  • A review of curricula at five Scottish medical schools revealed significant gaps in ME education.
  • Only two schools mentioned ME, but both misrepresented it:
    • St Andrews equated ME with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and categorized it as a psychosomatic disorder.
    • Dundee classified ME as a “Neurological Somatoform Disorder” under “Medically Unexplained Symptoms” (MUS).
  • The other three schools (Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow) did not mention ME but included CFS under MUS or Functional Somatic Syndromes.
• Advocacy Efforts:
  • TMEF engaged with medical schools to address these issues, citing research to support the need for accurate ME education.
  • Glasgow showed willingness to include ME in educational events, while other schools provided limited or no constructive responses.
• Regulatory Challenges:
  • The General Medical Council (GMC) and other regulatory bodies were approached but did not take responsibility for ensuring accurate ME education in medical curricula.
• Broader Advocacy:
  • TMEF also addressed concerns about the safety of non-pharmacological interventions and the issue of misdiagnosis in ME patients.

The document underscores the urgent need for accurate and comprehensive ME education in Scottish medical schools to improve patient care and understanding.