Advocacy Alert: 11/19/2004

On Tuesday night, Fox network presented the debut of new medical drama, House. The premise of the series is described on the Fox website as follows:

“DR. GREGORY HOUSE (Hugh Laurie) is devoid of bedside manner and wouldn’t even talk to his patients if he could get away with it. Dealing with his own constant physical pain, he uses a cane that seems to punctuate his acerbic, brutally honest demeanor. While his behavior can border on antisocial, House is a maverick physician whose unconventional thinking and flawless instincts have afforded him a great deal of respect. An infectious disease specialist, he’s a brilliant diagnostician who loves the challenges of the medical puzzles he must solve in order to save lives. House’s roster of medical cases are the inexplicable ones other doctors can’t solve, and he has assembled an elite team of young medical experts to help him in his effort to solve these diagnostic mysteries.”

In the debut, Dr. House is forced to spend time working in the hospital clinic and encounters as his second patient a man complaining of fatigue, headaches and cognitive problems. The man asks Dr. House if he might have CFS or fibromyalgia. House responds dismissively that the patient wasn't too tired to research these things on the Internet. He then goes alone to the clinic pharmacy, empties a bottle of painkillers into his own pocket, refills it with white candy pills from a nearby vending machine and gives it to the patient. The patient returns at the end of the show for a refill. An encore presentation of the first episode will air at 8:00 p.m. (Eastern)/ 7 p.m. (Central) on Friday night, November 19.

Although the segment is brief and is not the primary plotline, there is no dispute that it reinforces certain outdated and untrue stereotypes about CFIDS and FM. However, even among persons with CFIDS there are various interpretations about what the writers intended, as can be seen on the show’s message board at http://forums.prospero.com/foxhouse/start/. (The bulk of the messages posted so far reference this segment of the show.)

The reference to CFIDS and FM provides advocates with an opportunity to educate the writers, producers, Fox network and Fox affiliates. It seems unlikely that they’ll make another reference to CFIDS/FM in coming episodes of House, but medical dramas are a television staple and we may influence more accurate representations of the illnesses and those who suffer from them. We encourage a measured, informative response through the Association’sGrassroots Action Center.

It’s easy to register your concerns. Simply “click” on the Capitol Building icon located on the left navigational bar at http://www.cfids.org/ and choose the five Fox affiliates nearest to you, then click on "compose letter" at the bottom of the page. We’ve prepared a draft letter to which you can add your personal comments. Use the “Tell a Friend” feature to spread the word to others who may wish to write.

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to correspond with the show’s writers, producers and directors by e-mail. However, your paper letter can be sent to them at:

“HOUSE”
PO Box 900
Attn: FOX BROADCASTING Publicity Dept.
Beverly Hills, CA 90213‑0900

The CFIDS Association of America is sending a formal response to the show. Your letters and e-mail messages will help ensure maximum impact. Thank you for helping shape better coverage of CFIDS using the Grassroots Action Center. Together we’ve generated more than 11,000 letters to Congress, public health officials and the media since April 15, 2004.

Marcia L. Harmon
Director of Communications
The CFIDS Association of America

Working to conquer chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome