What is a patient decision aid?
A patient decision aid is a tool that helps you make informed healthcare decisions when there is more than one treatment or care option.
It provides clear, evidence-based information about the benefits, risks, and possible outcomes of each option, while helping you consider what matters most to you.
Patient decision aids support shared decision-making—a process where you and your healthcare professional work together to choose the option that best aligns with your health needs, preferences, and values.
They don’t tell you what to choose. Instead, they help you feel informed to, ask the right questions, and make decisions with confidence.
About this decision aid
If you live with myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) or long COVID and feel dizzy or lightheaded, this patient decision aid may help you decide whether to talk with your healthcare professionals (eg. your doctor, nurse, or allied health professional) about getting tested for orthostatic intolerance (OI).
There are several different forms of OI, and you may have heard of all or some of them, like:
- Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
- Orthostatic hypotension (OH)
- Neurally mediated hypotension (NMH)
Who is this decision aid for?
This patient decision aid may be helpful if you:
- Have been diagnosed with ME/CFS or long COVID.
- Experience post-exertional malaise (PEM).
- Are unsure whether some of your symptoms may be caused by orthostatic intolerance.
Consider your health and wellbeing
Making decisions can take time and energy. You may need to read this decision aid in small parts, take breaks, or ask someone to help you. Think about your emotional wellbeing. For some people, decisions about their health can bring up strong feelings.
Information about this document
Last reviewed: 08/07/2026
Author: Laura Allen (RN, PGCert (ICU))
Content editors: Dr Michelle Tavoletti (PhD), Dr Rochelle Lade (PhD), Simone Eyssens and Kate Herbert (RN).
Steering Committee Members: Anna Kerr, A/Proff Danielle Hitch, David Long, Dr Jason Lam,
Dr Sarah Annesley and Dr Tess Ryan
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a health care provider.
Please contact us here if you have any comments and would like to share your experience of using this resource.
