By David Tuller, DrPH
Sander Zurhake is an investigative reporter for Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS), a major Dutch broadcasting organization. On May 30th, NOS released television, radio and online reports about the potential harms of psycho-behavioral treatments for children with ME/CFS. In particular, the stories focused on the kind of cognitive behavior therapy (CBT, although rendered CGT in Dutch) offered to these patients, which also involves encouraging them to gradually increase their activity levels.
The stories triggered a detailed response and charges of inaccuracy from the Dutch Association for Pediatrics (NVK). The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (VGCt) also issued a statement of concern. Zurhake offered robust rebuttals to these complaints (here and here). Most recently, more than 100 doctors, psychologists and other health care providers released an open letter in support of Zurhake’s reporting.
I recently spoke with Zurhake about his work on this story and the pushback he received.