"Doctors as Patients" documentary Anil van der Zee

OMG we did it‼️‼️

In this film for ME Awareness month, five medical doctors open up about living with PAIS/IACC conditions like ME, long-COVID, and chronic Lyme. It’s a format that I believe has never been shown before, not just in the Netherlands but possibly worldwide!

They speak candidly about their experiences with illness, what they were taught (or not taught) in medical school, and how that shaped their own treatment decisions—sometimes even leading to harm.

They reflect on how becoming patients themselves radically changed their views on medicine, science, and what needs to change in healthcare. It’s raw, honest, and incredibly insightful—for medical professionals, researchers, politicians, and patients alike.

This project was a true labor of love. We had zero budget. Three amazing cameramen, a few behind-the-scenes heroes, the MDs themselves, and those from the community who shared material for the film—all volunteered their time and energy. It wasn’t easy: illness and PEM often got in the way, but we somehow made it.

We're ((primarily) amateur filmmakers (and I'm definitely the biggest one!), so don’t expect a slick Hollywood production. The real professionals here are the doctors—whose powerful voices, shaped by both medical training and lived experience, definitely need to be heard.

I invite you to watch, leave a like, drop a comment on YouTube to help boost the algorithm, and share it far and wide. This is more than a film—it's a message the world needs to hear and see!!!

Their stories will hopefully change how you think about medicine—don’t miss it. Especially now that PAIS/IACC conditions have become an even more urgent health issue since the pandemic. Their voices matter more than ever!

The film has English and Dutch subtitles. If you want to translate it to another language let me know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J0ywwLIfH_w

 

It sounds amazing, @Grigor, what an achievement! I've bookmarked it for when my eyes are up to video.

 

Congratulations! Thank you to everyone involved. I can’t wait to watch it.

 

Thanks ever so much for this excellent documentary, @Grigor, and thanks to all that worked with you.

And how sad that even medically trained people don't recognise an ME/CFS patient when one is looking straight back at them in their own mirror.

Go conquer the world! Educate all !!!

 

Oh you make them bigger in the settings of the video. It would be a pity if you didn't see the film because of that.

 

Where can I find the transcript?

 

I will publish one later and post it here.

 

You can jack up the subtitles if you click on Settings, then on Subtitles, and then on Options.

@Grigor, you might like to put that in your post, because I also struggled with the small subtitles until I discovered that trick.

I'm only partway through but I desperately want someone to copy you in the UK!

 

Ha, yeah that would be great. CC: @Adam pwme

 

@Grigor, I'm not sure I put that very well - did you want to edit your first post so that you can put that instruction about the subtitles just above the video, maybe? I think a lot of people would find it helpful.

 

Same here - it's on my "Watch later" list.

Liking the video and leaving a comment on YouTube really does boost the algorithm.

 

This was stunning. Very well done by everyone who participated. It's deeply moving and thought provoking and I hope it will reach far and wide. Thank you so much for making this!

 

Thanks! Maybe an interview somewhere? I'm open to it.

And yes, every country should interview their MDs with IACI. I'm totally for it!

 

"Trial By Error: In a Compelling Documentary, Five Doctors Discuss Being Sick":

https://virology.ws/2025/05/01/tria...cumentary-five-doctors-talk-about-being-sick/

 

I'm on top of it!!!