Nature: "When sickness interrupts science"

[Andy]

Lenny Jason is featured in part of the article.

Focus on the essentials

Navigating a research career along with a chronic illness, say many researchers, requires zeroing in on what is most essential. Leonard Jason, a psychologist who was diagnosed in 1989 with myalgic encephalopathy/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), realized that he needed to be strategic about his work and careful not to overtax himself.

His approach has led to recognition, including awards for excellence in research and, at one point, a position on a US federal panel advising about research on ME/CFS. He recommends that scientists pursue the work that matters most to them. “The reality is that you can’t do it all,” says Jason, of DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. “Prioritization is absolutely critical when one is in a diminished state. If it’s trivial and you don’t care about it, let it go.”

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-00112-7

 

[Trish]

I've just read this article. It looks at the experience of scientists who have MS, ME, Lyme, RA and other chronic disabling conditions and the challenges of working as a scientist and how they cope.

It is relevant to anyone still working while ill. Many of the things discussed were relevant to me as a teacher with ME - like whether and how much to tell bosses and colleagues, and the difficulties of getting adaptations to the working environment.

Good article, though it perhaps paints too rosy a picture of how sympathetic employers and colleagues are - not always my experience!
Also provides links to employment and disability legislation.

 

[Invisible Woman]

Now, who was it that suggested Dr Keith Geraghty suffered from ME himself and therefore shouldn't be commenting on others research and generally implying a conflict of interest?I

Perhaps we could forward them a copy of this article?

 

[Snow Leopard]

Good article, though it perhaps paints too rosy a picture of how sympathetic employers and colleagues are - not always my experience!

Yes. The exception, rather than the norm...

 

[TiredSam]

Many of the things discussed were relevant to me as a teacher with ME

Me too. I'm glad I used to give courses on Time and Self-Management before I got ill, it gave me the skills to make the best use of my time with ME, in particular defining tasks and breaking them down, then categorising them according to energy available, long before I actually get down to doing them. So I just have to ask myself how I'm feeling and I can always find something to do appropriate for that energy level in my pre-defined categories. Amazing how much you can get done when you're completely knackered, and getting those brainless, effortless tasks done when I'm not so fit frees up time to be spent on more higher energy tasks when I'm feeling better. Plus making sure I'm always doing the most useful thing now because a lot of stuff is never going to get done so at least make sure that's the less important stuff.