Treatment of ME/CFS and Post-Covid Patients: Criticism of PVA
The health spokesperson for the Social Democrats, Rudolf Silvan, pointed out planned measures by the ÖVP-SPÖ-NEOS coalition in this area on Ö1 radio and in a conversation with the APA. According to the Member of Parliament, a revision of rehabilitation money and disability pensions is planned in the government program.
ME/CFS and Post Covid Sufferers: SPÖ Health Spokesperson Silvan Advocates for Training of Assessors
Silvan also pointed out the large gaps in healthcare and the lack of treatment centers for those affected: "We want to create contact points nationwide for patients affected by post-viral diseases - with doctors who are up to date with the latest diagnostics," said Silvan. Regarding the call repeatedly made by experts for mandatory training for assessors, such as those of the PVA, on post-viral diseases (PAIS) like ME/CFS, Silvan said this would be an option to discuss with the Medical Association.
Greens Speak of "Systematic Harassment" of ME/CFS and Post Covid Sufferers by PVA
"Shocked" by the findings of the investigations by APA, ORF, and the research platform Dossier, the Green health spokesperson Ralph Schallmeiner stated: "The PVA's task is to take care of the insured, not to harass them. And he could not describe the now publicly revealed cases of ME/CFS as anything other than "systematic harassment," he said in a statement. It is "incomprehensible how people who are already massively suffering from their illnesses are additionally burdened by bureaucratic or medical hurdles." Schallmeiner calls on the PVA to fundamentally rethink its approach to chronically ill patients and to adapt to the current state of science.
Experts and assessors must "orient themselves to the latest scientific findings" and must not "rely on outdated or obsolete diagnoses." Schallmeiner also pointed out that ME/CFS has been recognized by the WHO as a neurological disorder since 1969. "Nevertheless, it is still far too often classified as psychosomatic in Austria, leading to mistreatment and inadequate care for those affected."
Schallmeiner also criticizes that the PVA repeatedly orders new assessments and burdensome examinations, "even when patients have already submitted extensive medical documents." This approach demonstrates "a deep mistrust towards chronically ill people." Each additional examination can lead to a so-called "crash" for those affected by ME/CFS, "a massive deterioration in health." Those affected now "finally need interprofessional and interdisciplinary contact points," and Schallmeiner sees the responsible federal states as having a duty here.
Ombudsman Achitz: Give more credence to those affected by ME/CFS and Post Covid
Ombudsman Bernhard Achitz (SPÖ) also agreed, reiterating in a statement his criticism of the PVA's approach to assessments, which he had already expressed the day before on ORF. "From the PVA, but especially from the Social Ministry Service SMS (where the degree of disability is determined, note), I expect that the experts are better trained." It is also about the "fundamental approach": The experts could "give more credence to the patients and the findings. Many, however, feel treated more as potential malingerers," criticized Achitz, who also insisted on home visits during assessments, which are almost always denied by the PVA.
Former Health Minister Rudolf Anschober (Greens), who serves as an advisor on the board of the We&Me Foundation, which is committed to researching ME/CFS, advocated for binding guidelines. "The federal government must ensure that the (very good National Action Plan presented last year, note) is quickly adopted by all parts of the fragmented healthcare system," Anschober explained in a statement to the APA. This could create binding guidelines for everyone - "including for states and the PVA." "Only in this way can the highly necessary progress for many affected finally be achieved more quickly."
(APA/Red)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.