"Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Recognizing, Diagnosing, and Investigating" was the theme of the 1st Seminar organized by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Nursing in partnership with the EM Movimento Association.
The event took place on March 7 at the Carvalho Guerra Auditorium of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, bringing together healthcare professionals including nurses, doctors and psychologists, alongside researchers and students for a moment of knowledge sharing and in-depth discussion about this health condition.
This seminar provided a space for debate and experience-sharing, allowing participants to explore the latest scientific evidence and clinical practices related to ME/CFS. Despite affecting thousands of people, this pathological condition remains underdiagnosed.
The event was attended by several institutional representatives, including João Paulo Carvalho, Vice-President of the Board of the Ordem dos Enfermeiros; Patrícia Pinto, a member of the Sociedade Portuguesa de Reumatologia; Raquel Marques, President of the Associação Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros de Reabilitação; Tiago Meirinhos, Director of the Rheumatology Department at ULS Gaia/Espinho, as well as other members from partner institutions such as MYOS and APCL.
Throughout the seminar, various presentations covered epidemiological, clinical, and psychosocial aspects of the condition, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. Discussions fostered the exchange of experiences and highlighted the importance of investing in education to disseminate existing knowledge about this disease, as well as in research to develop innovative strategies that improve patient care. The event also featured testimonies from individuals living with ME/CFS, offering valuable insights into their experiences.
The 1st Seminar on ME/CFS not only underscored the current challenges associated with the condition but also paved the way for future research and interventions that could transform the approach to caring for those affected by it.
