UK: Reading Well books (formerly Books on Prescription): should books based on the deconditioning model of ME/CFS still be included?

[Sly Saint]

https://reading-well.org.uk/

this was the list of books for LTC in 2020
https://tra-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/entries/document/2311/RWLTC_booklist_overview.pdf

which included Chalder and Burgess' book
"Overcoming Chronic Fatigue"

Break free from the crippling cycle of chronic fatigue

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating illness, characterized by severe exhaustion and flu-like symptoms, which affects almost three per cent of people in the UK and for which conventional medicine currently has no cure. This valuable self-help guide offers sufferers a better understanding of CFS as well as strategies on breaking the vicious circle of fatigue. The result is a proven reduction in symptoms and disability in up to two-thirds of CFS sufferers.

Based on recognized CBT techniques

and advertises itself as
A Books on Prescription Title

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Overcoming_Chronic_Fatigue.html?id=gaCeBAAAQBAJ&source=kp_cover&redir_esc=y

and was until very recently recommended reading on most NHS websites.

who decides which books are on the list?

@adambeyoncelowe

 

[DokaGirl]

Not all of these books can be summarized as "Go to the gym " books, but certainly some of them can.

 

[Sly Saint]

I've changed the link from Amazon (which just turned into a general link for Amazon rather than the actual link to the book reviews).
Google books (the 'new link' makes quite a big chunk of the beginning of the book available to read.)

Basically its the usual 'boom and bust'/deconditioning stuff and this;

 

[Sly Saint]

and this

given the changes in the guidelines this book should not be officially sanctioned reading by the health service.

eta: it also perpetuates the ME/CFS = chronic fatigue issue.

 

[Sly Saint]

still recommended by:
Royal Free
https://www.royalfree.nhs.uk/services/fatigue-service

Reading
Fatigue

• Overcoming chronic fatigue: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques (Mary Burgess and Trudie Chalder).

South Tees NHS

Overcoming Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: a self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural Techniques, written by Mary Burgess and Trudie Chalder, published by Robinson

https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/servic...hronic-fatigue-syndrome-me/patient-resources/

approved iapt reading
https://www.ppn.nhs.uk/resources/ap...tient-materials-for-long-term-conditions/file

Northern Care Alliance NHS
https://www.northerncarealliance.nh...rome?q=/our-services/chronic-fatigue-syndrome

there are many more.

 

[Sly Saint]

The book is also included on the Reading Well book list for Mental health as well as

Chronic Fatigue
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (second edition),
Campling, Frankie and
Sharpe, Michael

there is also this book

• Katharine Rimes and Trudie Chalder (2015). Overcoming Chronic fatigue in young people: A cognitive behavioural self-help guide.
  

which is recommended reading by various children CF services eg Sheffield

I don't know about the contents but suspect it is more of the same.

 

[Ash]

Grim.
What a terrible shame.

 

[adambeyoncelowe]

https://reading-well.org.uk/

this was the list of books for LTC in 2020
https://tra-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/entries/document/2311/RWLTC_booklist_overview.pdf

which included Chalder and Burgess' book
"Overcoming Chronic Fatigue"


and advertises itself as
A Books on Prescription Title

https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Overcoming_Chronic_Fatigue.html?id=gaCeBAAAQBAJ&source=kp_cover&redir_esc=y

and was until very recently recommended reading on most NHS websites.

who decides which books are on the list?

@adambeyoncelowe

The clinics probably draw up their own lists? I can imagine someone did a list for BACME years ago and made sure all their mates were on it. Then it got passed around until it became the standard.

 

[Ash]

Yeah, that seems to be how it’s done,

 

[Sly Saint]

No that's not how it's done.

See this info sheet
https://tra-resources.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/entries/document/4503/Reading_Well_fact_sheet.pdf

(linked to here : https://reading-well.org.uk/resources/4503)

Evidence-based practice
Reading Well follows clinical guidelines for the treatment and support of mental health and wellbeing. Specific self-help interventions are included when recommended within National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines.
The Reading Well book selection process draws on wide stakeholder consultation, existing best practice and expert advice, professional recommendations, and national clinical guidelines. Co-production with experts by experience is integral to the development process.

Supporting organisations
Reading Well is supported by the Anna Freud Centre, Anxiety UK, British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), British Heart Foundation, British Lung Foundation, British Psychological Society (BPS), Carers Trust, Carers UK, Health Education England, IBS Network, Mental Health First Aid England, Mental Health Foundation, Mind, National Association of Primary Care, NHS England (IAPT), OCD Action, Public Health England, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Nursing, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Royal College of Psychiatrists, Royal Society of Public Health, Self Management UK and Stroke Association.

 

[dratalanta]

"stakeholder consultation... expert advice... professional recommendations" - sounds quite a lot like what Adam was suggesting?

Can Charles Shepherd write to Reading Well to point out that their current list of titles includes "self-help interventions" which are not "recommended within National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines"?

Overcoming chronic fatigue: a self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques seems like a straightforward contradiction of the guidelines in the title alone: "Explain... that it [CBT] may help them [patients] manage their symptoms but it is not curative."