Ecology | Northern Rockies Lyme Disease Coalition

To answer the questions that matter most, we need to identify them and we need to frame them properly. Many of the most critical questions in regards to Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment in our region are not being asked (at least not when, where, or by whom they need to be), are not well framed, are based on poor assumptions, or are all of the above.

In cases where there is information patients don’t have access to, or haven’t found, that would answer these questions, the questions are still essential in seeking it, finding it, or asking for it, as well as for assessing it.

Ticks, it turns out, are a prime example of unasked questions impacting and inhibiting patient care (directly and indirectly, as there are additional paramount influences further discussed in later articles).

Continue reading Tick Distributions Example ~ Asking the Right Questions

Not really. At least, not just yet.

But we are building a preliminary map, for which we currently need your assistance. If you have lived with or may have contracted Lyme disease in the Northern Rockies (MT, WY, ID, ND, SD, BC, ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN) please share the location here. (You can find other ways to help us in the short term, including awareness opportunities here and via other groups, by watching for related pages and requests, including our first request linked here.)

We are certainly wondering about those things in the title (though we are not implying we can actually tackle these questions here). The actual purpose of this article is illustrate that we have reasonable expectations regarding the value vs. limitations of the information our initial map will provide and the importance of asking and answering the right questions over time.

Continue reading Estimating Distribution, Abundance, and Medical-Care-Migration Patterns Of Northern Rockies Lyme Disease Patients?