{"id":4791,"date":"2026-01-07T08:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T08:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/?p=4791"},"modified":"2026-01-07T08:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T08:46:10","slug":"ppie-award-winner-2025-dr-keith-geraghty-and-prof-aneez-esmail","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.manchester.ac.uk\/bmh-sr\/2026\/01\/07\/ppie-award-winner-2025-dr-keith-geraghty-and-prof-aneez-esmail\/","title":{"rendered":"PPIE Award Winner 2025: Dr Keith Geraghty and Prof Aneez Esmail"},"content":{"rendered":"

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In this blog series, we will be featuring our award winners and highly commended recipients from the\u00a0Faculty\u2019s\u00a0\u2018<\/span><\/i>Outstanding Contribution to PPIE<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u2019 awards. The awards\u00a0showcase\u00a0inspirational and outstanding commitment to PPIE that has made a positive difference to our community and highlights the amazing events, activities,\u00a0people\u00a0and groups from across the\u00a0Faculty.<\/span><\/i>\u202f\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our latest blog in this series features Dr Keith Geraghty and Prof Aneez Esmail,\u00a0who were winners in the group category at the\u00a02025\u00a0PPIE Awards. Their research on\u00a0myalgic\u00a0encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)\/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME\/CFS)\u00a0drove significant changes to national guidelines,\u00a0creating a worldwide impact on how the condition is treated today.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Professor

Professor Aneez Esmail. Photo credit: Anthony Devlin<\/p><\/div>\n

Dr Keith Geraghty<\/span><\/a>, Research Associate of Health Psychology, and\u00a0<\/span>Prof Aneez Esmail<\/span><\/a>,\u00a0Emeritus\u00a0Professor of General Practice,\u00a0have\u00a0collaborated\u00a0at the University\u00a0since 2016.\u00a0Their work\u00a0has\u00a0focused on\u00a0myalgic\u00a0encephalomyelitis (or encephalopathy)\/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME\/CFS), a condition that profoundly\u00a0impacts\u00a0quality of life.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Their research challenged the long-standing\u00a0biophyscosocial\u00a0model\u00a0that had shaped the understanding of ME\/CFS,\u00a0providing evidence that led to major changes in the\u00a0diagnoses and management of the condition, as outlined in the\u00a0<\/span>2021\u00a0National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dr

Dr Keith Geraghty<\/p><\/div>\n

These updates removed harmful treatments such as Graded\u00a0Exercise Therapy (GET) and reframed care around patient choice and energy management. Keith\u2019s unique perspective as both a researcher and an ME patient was central to this process, ensuring that lived experience informed every stage of their work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflecting on the significance of these changes, Keith remarked:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cScientists must continue to research the biological\u00a0facets\u00a0of this disease, including causes and bio-physiological dysfunction brought about by ME\/CFS. Whilst this work is ongoing, doctors and allied health professionals must look to support patients manage and\u00a0ameliorate\u00a0symptoms.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This new guideline marks a departure from biopsychosocial outdated models of ME\/CFS to one that recognises the clinical features of this disease, its impact on people living with ME\/CFS and the importance of doctors and patients working collaboratively to achieve the best outcomes possible.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i>(Source:\u00a0<\/span>Doctors with M.E.<\/span><\/a>)<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The impact of\u00a0Keith and Aneez\u2019s\u00a0research extended beyond clinical practice. Their findings were\u00a0referenced in parliamentary debates, and they\u00a0contributed\u00a0expertise\u00a0to\u00a0Scottish MSPs and the Minister of Health\u00a0on improving care for ME\/CFS patients.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the COVID-19 pandemic, their work continued to play a role. Due to the similarities between the symptoms of Long COVID and ME\/CFS, their research laid the groundwork for researchers understanding Long COVID since 2020.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Additional\u00a0information:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n