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, ask the right questions, and make decisions with confidence.
Who is this decision aid for?
This patient decision aid is for people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) and/or long COVID who experience post-exertional malaise (PEM).
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 exercise or activity is right for you.
A note on graded exercise therapy
International guidelines from organisations such as the World Health Organisation, National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend fixed, progressively increasing exercise programs for people who experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), including those with ME/CFS and some people with long COVID.
If graded exercise therapy (GET) is not recommended, why is it included in this patient decision aid?
Some people are still offered or prescribed graded exercise therapy in clinical practice. This decision aid is designed to support informed, shared decision-making for those who are considering or have been advised to undertake this approach.
Information about this document
Last reviewed: 28/03/2026
Auther: Laura Allen (RN, PGCert (ICU))
Content Editors: Dr Michelle Tavoletti (PhD), Dr Rochelle Lade (PhD), Simone Eyssens, Kate Herbert (RN).
Steering Committee Members: Dr Tess Ryan, Anna Kerr, David Long, Dr Sarah Annesley, Dr Jason Lam, A/Prof Danielle Hitch.
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.
