Elizabeth Dowsett

Dr Elizabeth G. Dowsett (better known as Betty Dowsett) (1920 - 14 June 2012) was a consultant microbiologist and notable ME/CFS researcher and clinician in the UK. Some of the people she collaborated with included Dr John Richardson, Dr Melvin Ramsay, and Jane Colby.

Early life
Dowsett was born in Newport Gwent and studied medicine at Edinburgh University. She began her medical career as a GP in London, and then qualified as a consultant microbiologist.

Notable studies

 * HFME - Articles by author: Dr Dowsett
 * 1996, Long Term Sickness Absence due to ME/CFS in UK Schools: An Epidemiological Study With Medical and Educational Implications, coauthored by Jane Colby and Elizabeth G Dowsett, is the largest ever epidemiological study of ME in the UK which revealed that ME is the most frequent cause of long-term sickness absence from school. (Full text)

London criteria
Dr. Dowsett was one of the co-authors of the 1994 London criteria case definition for research.

Charity work
Dowsett was a medical advisor to the charities Welsh Association of ME & CFS Support and 25 Percent ME Group.

Learn more

 * 1997, Long Term Sickness Absence due to ME/CFS in UK Schools: An Epidemiological Study With Medical and Educational Implications
 * ME Association - Dr Betty Dowsett, 1920 – 2012 | consultant microbiologist who championed M.E. | updated 6 July 2012