This quote from Anthony Komaroff, MD, professor of medicine at Harvard University, stands out in large, bold letters on the Association’s conference display board. We carry it to conventions all over the country, and it consistently draws passers-by to our exhibit booth.

Dr. Komaroff’s simple, effective words help us introduce chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) to hundreds of primary care health providers each year. Many of them have little working knowledge of CFIDS, but we make sure they leave our booth with basic information about the possible causes, complexities, diagnosis and management of the disease.

Educating providers is one of the Association’s key goals. Teaching doctors, nurses and other health professionals about CFIDS helps them give patients timely, accurate diagnoses and supportive, symptom-based treatment.

The Association invests significant resources, both human and financial, in education. Through a federal grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 54 health care professionals have been trained to present CFIDS programs to peers and/or students of health care disciplines. Two self-study modules, video- and Web-based, will soon be available to providers. Exhibits at five national provider conferences have reached more than 1,500 providers from multiple disciplines--including physicians, physician assistants, advance practice nurses and psychologists.

The process is paying off. We are heartened by individual stories from people who have positive experiences with well-informed doctors and nurses. One day, we hope that every person with CFIDS will receive care from health professionals who understand and accept the disease’s diagnosis and treatment options.

We’re not to that point yet--but, to borrow a line from Dr. Komaroff, at least we have the wind at our backs.