European Society for ME - Research & Knowledge

Stavanger Think Tank Meeting 2009

ESME held its launch meeting on June 13th, 2009 in Stavanger Norway. The report from this meeting is attached. For details of press coverage, see the press review here: http://esme-eu.com/media/esme-press-review-2009-article260-113.html SkyNews (UK) reported on the launch of ESME and interviewed Dr. Jonathon Kerr who stressed the importance of collaboration among researchers. ESME’s goals for 2010 are to increase information flow in Europe, organize training conferences for MD’s and other healthcare personnel and to facilitate research collaboration. The training conferences will be organized in cooperation with local ME associations, thus allowing ESME to benefit from local connections. If you are interested in hosting an ESME training conference in your country, please contact ESME. These conferences are not only an extremely efficient means of training doctors and scientists in the ME field, but are also an excellent way to encourage professionals to specialize in the field. When doctors understand how to diagnose and treat ME, it takes the mystery and frustration out of the illness. It is our experience that doctors then become aware of the positive career opportunities that exist in connection with this patient group. After attending an ESME conference in Norway in 2009, Dr. Mette Johnsgaard decided to open The Scandinavian Institute for ME. http://www.lillestromhelseklinikk.no/mecfs/index.php Her practice is growing rapidly and she recently added two new doctors to her clinic. One of ESME’s primary goals is to establish ME clinics throughout Europe and we hope that 2010 will see other doctors step forward and specialize in the exciting and complex field of ME.