Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS), is a disabling illness. It is a complex diagnosis and not always easy to make. No treatment has yet been found, which is extremely frustrating for patients suffering from this illness. This does not mean patients cannot improve or even recover. However, because of controversies on how to treat ME/CFS over the last decade, some patients or providers are not always aware of the latest developments and this is where we can help.
Judikje Scheffer is a fellow General Practitioner and Sport and Exercise Physician Registrar. Due to personal involvement with the illness she has a large knowledge of ME/CFS. She has made it her goal to support and guide patients through their rehabilitation process. Depending on your own experience and wish to support your patient in their rehabilitation she can advise yourself after an initial consultation.
Referrals
In the 1-hour virtual consultation, we aim to give the patient clarity on their diagnosis and discuss management strategies for ME/CFS. Creating a treatment plan and coaching the patient takes up a lot of the consult time. To be able to diagnose and make a treatment plan during our extended consult, it is essential other common diagnoses (auto-immune disease, anaemia, iron/vitamin deficiency, cardiomyopathy, other neurological conditions etc,) have been excluded beforehand.
Most patients are too unwell to travel or live too far away and therefore consultation take place via Telehealth. Also, we are a privately funded clinic and fully rely on patients private funding, who are often having financial difficulty.
Considering the above, it is essential you have excluded the common causes of the patient’s fatigue and your referral includes:
- Patient email address
- General physical examination – minimal: BP, HR, heart, lungs, abdomen, lymph nodes
- Laboratory results – max 12 months old: CBC/diff, electrolytes, Calcium/Phosphate, CRP, TSH, LFT, Renal panel, CK, Iron studies, Vit B12/folate, Hba1c, urine analysis, Coeliac screen
- Further tests on indication (see CFS Primer table 2, page 15), like ECG, CXR, sleep studies, etc.
- Specialist letter relating to fatigue symptoms – if available.
Your patient will then be triaged based on your referral information as either URGENT or ROUTINE.
PLEASE NOTE THAT INCOMPLETE REFERRALS WILL BE DECLINED.
You can send your complete referral to: referrals@jusc.co.nz.
JUSC Medical is a private practice and will not receive capitation or other funding for the services. Private insurance might cover (part of) fees under the GP cover. If your patient is on a benefit, WINZ may help with fees as part of their disability allowance.