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Learn about ME

Learn about ME

Action for M.E.

This series of podcast episodes complement the CPD accredited module on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/ Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), originally developed by Dr Nina Muirhead with the UK ME Research Collaborative. The module was updated in January 2023 in partnership with Doctors with ME and drawing on international expertise. The podcasts and the CPD module are relevant to GPs and other health and social care professionals treating not just M.E. but Long COVID too. The CPD module is free, available anytime online and offers 1 CPD point. It normally takes less than an hour to complete and is based on case studies and the latest biomedical evidence. Each question offers further reading to develop and increase knowledge. You can access this free module here: https://www.studyprn.com/p/chronic-fatigue-syndrome
IMPORTANT Learn about M.E. podcasts contain general information about ME/CFS shared by professionals and individuals with lived experience. This is not medical advice, and should not be treated as such. You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. Any symptom management approach must be considered on a case-by-case basis by an experienced medical professional.
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Top 10 Learn about ME Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Learn about ME episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Learn about ME for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Learn about ME episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Learn about ME - Episode 5 - Learn About M.E. and Social Care
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04/22/22 • 28 min

In this fifth episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, we explore the understanding and adjustments needed in Social Care and Social Work service to enable people with M.E. to access and benefit from services. We hear from Clare Ogden, Services Manager at Action for M.E., Zoe McIntyre, a professional in social care who also has Fibromyalgia and Rhona Barton, who has recovered from severe M.E. and who has volunteered as a Peer Mentor supporting people with M.E.
The podcast illustrates some of the barriers and challenges for people with M.E. that are useful to keep in mind while working to support someone with M.E. This episode highlights the adjustments that are useful to enable someone with M.E. to engage with services and create appropriate care plans. Zoe raises important considerations around safety and how the unique nature of M.E. requires a different, more flexible approach to avoid harm.

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Learn about ME - Episode 4 – Learn About M.E. in Medical Schools
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01/25/22 • 21 min

In this fourth episode of our Learn About ME podcast series, we hear from medical students about their experience of learning about ME/CFS at their medical schools. We also hear about their own research into medical students and practising GPs knowledge and understanding of ME/CFS and its impact on patient’s quality of life. The students talk about how medical education such as the Learn about ME CPD module and this podcast series can support GPs and students to be more confident in identifying ME/CFS and managing the symptoms of the illness.

We also hear how timely and appropriate support can enable people to gain better understanding of how they can better self manage their symptoms and their impact to increase their ability to come to terms with the illness and help themselves move forward. This episode highlights how important it is to acknowledge there is a gap in understanding about this illness and how important it is to just engage and accept people’s experience of living with ME/CFS rather than dismiss it.

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In this, the eleventh episode in our Learn About ME podcast series, we discuss how Occupational Therapy can support people living with Long Covid and M.E. Our guests are Katie Davies, Occupational Therapy Team Lead in NHS Grampian; and Corinne, a patient with Long Covid.

To avoid potential harms by energy management being wrongly applied, the 2021 NICE guideline for ME/CFS recommends that, “in specific circumstances, people with ME/CFS should be referred to a physiotherapist or Therapist (OT) in an ME/CFS specialist team.”

OTs can uncover the relationship between the challenges people face, their environment and the daily activities they need and want to carry out.

The podcast highlights the importance of taking a person-centred approach and being flexible from the beginning, with practical tips based on experience.

Corrine talks about the difference occupational therapy made to her, including supporting with pacing, while Katie highlights the need for OTs to understand post exertional malaise (PEM) and how it impacts in ME/CFS and Long Covid, triggered by the smallest amount of activity (physical, cognitive, emotional).

Any healthcare professional can learn more about ME/CFS and the vital adjustments the people may need in consultations and support services by taking Dr Nina Muirhead’s free 60-minute Learna CPD module.

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Learn about ME - Episode 7 – Learn About M.E. and Physiotherapy
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01/18/23 • 28 min

In this seventh episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, M.E. Specialist Physiotherapists, Gina and Melanie discuss what Physiotherapists need to consider when working with someone with M.E. They share that anyone providing care needs to be fully aware of the condition and the latest guidance on ME/CFS (NICE Guideline Myalgic encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)/chronic fatigue syndrome: diagnosis and management [NG206]). Gina and Melanie both completed the free online CPD module on ME/CFS. They found it useful as each question has further information that can deepen understanding of the condition. It was also an easy way to get access to current knowledge of M.E. and to find information, resources and an evidence base.

This podcast highlights that being person-centred and led by the person is even more important with this group of people as they can all present very differently and have completely different personal circumstances. The person is always the expert and physiotherapy can work alongside them. Melanie and Gina both thought this led to an emphasis on listening to each person as support really needs to be personalised to each individual and this may take time to get it right. This may mean being more open and flexible to different approaches than you would normally use as a Physiotherapist. Due to the fluctuations and unpredictability in the condition there may be a need to accept that things may not work and so you need to be able to adapt around the person and their M.E.

Physiotherapists can offer clarification and reassurance to help the person work with their M.E. and identify their own baseline and how they can work with this and not doubt themselves or their condition. They can also extend this support to the important people in the person’s life who may be able to offer insights when the person doesn’t have the energy to engage. These important family and supporters can aid a person to manage their daily activities and priorities more effectively.

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Learn about ME - Episode 6 – Learn About M.E. and Nursing
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10/25/22 • 20 min

In this sixth episode of our Learn About M.E. podcast series, we hear from a Clinical Nurse Specialist in M.E., Keith Anderson, about the vital support that nurses can provide to people with M.E. Keith is joined by a retired Nurse, Midwife, Health Visitor and Clinical Practice Teacher and Carer, Pamela Binny, who offers insight into some of the knowledge on M.E. she wished that she had while she was practising as a Nurse. She is able to describe, first hand, the devastating impact of M.E. not just on the person living with it but the family supporting the person.

We hear how Nurses can very quickly update their professional knowledge by accessing a free CPD module on ME/CFS and listening to this podcast. The module takes under an hour to complete and offers 1 CPD point. The revised guidance on M.E./CFS contained in the new NICE guideline is also highlighted as a useful tool for Nurses. It is suggested that rest and pacing are much better approaches to managing the symptoms of M.E./CFS rather than Graded exercise therapy (GET) or Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The guests discuss how much of the learning can also be applied to nursing people with Long Covid as the clinical presentation can be the same or very similar.

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In this third episode of our Learn about ME podcast series, we hear from, Dr Nina Muirhead, creator of the Learn about ME CPD learning module and, Dr Gregor Purdie, about the importance of highlighting the changes in the newly updated NICE guideline on ME/CFS: diagnosis and management. They are joined by, Helen, who lives with ME and who volunteers for The 25% ME group. Helen shares her experience in order to encourage healthcare professionals to implement the changes in the guideline. We hope this episode can increase the likelihood of people with ME getting appropriate care and support.

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Learn about ME - Episode 2 - Learn About M.E. and Long Covid
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05/28/21 • 39 min

In the second episode in our Learn about ME podcast series we are exploring Long Covid and how the study of this condition can impact on our understanding of ME/CFS. We hear from Dr David Strain who plays a leading role in the BMA’s response to Long Covid; Dr Nina Muirhead, creator of the Learn about ME CPD learning module and Alec Finlay who has lived with M.E. and now has Long Covid. We hope that this information can help health and social care professionals to offer appropriate support to people living with either condition.

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Learn about ME - Episode 10 – Learn About M.E. and Paediatrics
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11/20/23 • 24 min

In this tenth episode of our Learn about M.E. podcast series, we discuss the need for specialist support and understanding for children and young people who live with M.E.

The right support is essential to help them access education that meets their needs alongside appropriate health and social care.

We hear from Dr Binita Kane, a Respiratory Consultant inManchester In January 2021, Dr Kane’s 10yr old daughter developed COVID and subsequently Long COVID / MECFS. Acknowledging her own limited knowledge of MECFS despite being a medical professional, this has led her on an international search for answers, culminating in her becoming a campaigner, researcher, patient advocate, champion for the Long COVID Kids charity and now a specialist physician treating patients with MECFS and Long COVID. She is now a passionate advocate for raising awareness of this neglected disease area. We also hear from Helen Gibson, a volunteer for #ME Action Scotland, a member of M.E. Parents and Mum to a 17-year-old-daughter with M.E.

Dr Kane highlights that useful things that GPs can do are:

1. listen to the child and parents and hear what they are saying: take it seriously

2. consider a post viral illness if a child reports with fatigue and pain but tests are normal

3. take a history using key questions about post-exertional malaise, family history and related conditions such as Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (PoTS).

Dr Kane emphasises that this condition is not psychological. Exercise is not the answer but will worsen all symptoms. She recommended that GPs complete the Learna CPD module on M.E. to support this shift in approach.

Helen explains how her family have had to develop an expertise on the illness far beyond that which most patients/carers would expect, a direct result of M.E. being so poorly understood. She is now active in campaigning for better awareness, support and research into potential treatments for children and adults living with M.E.

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Learn about ME - Episode 1 - Learn About M.E.
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02/25/21 • 31 min

A discussion with Dr Nina Muirhead about the free Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module she has developed for GPs and other health professionals about the diagnosis, treatment and management of M.E. or chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).
Ruth Richardson, from the charity Action for M.E. talks to Dr Muirhead as well as a GP who has accessed the CPD and Anna and Craig who live with M.E.
Each person tells how they feel the module would improve the experience and outcomes for both the professional and the patient.
you can access this free module here: https://www.studyprn.com/p/chronic-fatigue-syndrome

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Learn about ME - Episode 8 - Learn About M.E. and Decode M.E.
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02/15/23 • 27 min

This is the eighth in our series of podcasts on Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E.)/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). In this episode, we discuss the exciting new research project, Decode M.E., launched in September 2022. This is the largest M.E./CFS study in the world and aims to identify potential genetic causes of why people become ill with M.E./CFS. It is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The study is led by Professor Chris Ponting at the University of Edinburgh and places people with M.E./CFS absolutely at the heart of the study. People with M.E./CFS are an essential part of the Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) steering group along with carers and other stakeholder organisations in the M.E. field.

Three guests Andy Devereux-Cooke, Co-investigator of Decode M.E., Sonya Chowdhury, CEO of Action for M.E and Co-investigator and Prof Chris Ponting discuss the project and the potential impact it can have in improving the science around M.E. Just now, little is known about what causes M.E., how to diagnose it and manage the symptoms that result. The absence of research in this area has resulted in a lack of treatments and strategies that support people with M.E. to manage their health and improve their quality of life.

The guests ask that anyone over 16, diagnosed with M.E./CFS and living in the U.K. spits for science and participates in the study. People can go online to https://bit.ly/3S24p3m and take a questionnaire that will collect valuable information on people’s lived experience:

  • People can pause and re-start the questionnaire or phone for support if they can’t complete online.
  • People who meet the study’s criteria will be asked to provide a DNA sample via their saliva. A kit is then sent out and can be posted back so the DNA in the sample can be analysed.
  • The criteria for inclusion in the study is strict to ensure the robustness of the evidence obtained. This may mean that some people with a diagnosis don’t go on to take part but their answers to the questions will still be useful.
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FAQ

How many episodes does Learn about ME have?

Learn about ME currently has 12 episodes available.

What topics does Learn about ME cover?

The podcast is about Health & Fitness, Medicine and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Learn about ME?

The episode title 'Episode 6 – Learn About M.E. and Nursing' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Learn about ME?

The average episode length on Learn about ME is 29 minutes.

How often are episodes of Learn about ME released?

Episodes of Learn about ME are typically released every 133 days, 3 hours.

When was the first episode of Learn about ME?

The first episode of Learn about ME was released on Feb 25, 2021.

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