Evelyn Claus: A family doctor with a heart supports young doctors in Ottendorf-Okrilla

Evelyn Claus: A family doctor with a heart supports young doctors in Ottendorf-Okrilla

Evelyn Claus has a permanent place in the world of medicine. She has been working as a family doctor in Ottendorf-Okrilla since 1991 and has been based at her current location on Dresdner Straße since 2007. Her interest in medicine sparked in the 9th grade, and after she successfully completed her studies in Leipzig and Dresden, her passion for general medicine began. “For me, general medicine is the most interesting subject,” says Claus. Over the years, she has become a mentor for young aspiring doctors in her practice and is currently employing her fourth training assistant. She receives support from the Medical Association and the Saxony Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in order to provide the next generation with professional training.

Evelyn Claus now cares for around 1,100 patients per quarter, and the practice is firmly anchored in the region. She ensures that there is no shortage of primary care in her area, although she admits that getting appointments with specialists is often difficult. This shows that despite challenging circumstances, she takes the time for her patients, even if that means longer waiting times.

Special expertise in the treatment of ME/CFS

A particularly important topic in Evelyn Claus' practice is myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). With an estimated 250,000 people suffering from it before the Covid-19 pandemic, the pain syndrome should not be underestimated. Experts assume that the number of sick people has doubled as a result of the pandemic. Claus is aware of the difficulties these patients have in caring for them and appeals to her colleagues to look into the issue more intensively, as she currently has no capacity to accept more ME/CFS patients in her practice.

The challenges faced by those affected by ME/CFS are also highlighted by the ACCESS study at Hannover Medical School. The aim of the project is to improve care for severely and severely affected patients, especially for those who can no longer leave the house due to their illness. People with long or post-COVID syndrome can also develop ME/CFS, further complicating the situation. The study will start in autumn 2025 and is funded by the Federal Ministry of Health. The interdisciplinary medical team will conduct home visits to develop individualized treatment plans and help those affected improve their quality of life.

Long-term consequences of COVID-19 in focus

The effects of the coronavirus pandemic are still being felt, and a common consequence is persistent fatigue following a COVID infection. Scientific findings on the long-term consequences have not yet been sufficiently researched, but estimates show that around 5-10 percent of those infected struggle with subsequent symptoms. The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is actively involved in research on long and post-COVID as well as ME/CFS, among other things by supporting ten research associations with different focuses.

By collecting continuous data and biosamples, the long-term health development of those affected is monitored. Comprehensive research and practical approaches to treatment and care are essential to meeting this major challenge in healthcare.

Evelyn Claus will work in her practice until the end of 2027 and has already secured her successor. Her committed attitude and deep understanding of her patients' needs are exemplary of a modern family doctor's practice. When it comes to treating conditions like ME/CFS, she demonstrates a keen eye and encourages other physicians to address the challenges of this complex disease. It remains exciting to see how the future care situation for those affected will develop.

For more information on developments in ME/CFS research and patients affected by the pandemic, read reports from Sächsische.de, Fatigatio e.V., and Health research BMFTR read up.