Headache Decision Tool

Headache Decision Tool is an educational reference and clinical decision-support aid for qualified healthcare professionals who assess patients presenting with headache. It is designed as a fast aide-memoire for the Emergency Department, acute medicine, on-call shifts, neurology, and general practice.

FOR EDUCATIONAL & TRAINING USE ONLY — NOT FOR USE AS SOLE CLINICAL GUIDANCE.

This app is intended for use by qualified healthcare professionals. It is not a medical device, does not diagnose any condition, does not recommend treatment for any individual patient, and is not intended for use by patients or the general public.

WHAT IT DOES

Each pathway presents structured, guideline-based prompts and considerations to support — never replace — your own assessment. The content is organised around the questions clinicians weigh at the bedside: which features are concerning, what should be considered, and what the relevant guidance says.

RED-FLAG AWARENESS

The home screen highlights three time-critical presentations often discussed in headache teaching — thunderclap headache, fever with neck stiffness, and new headache with papilloedema or focal neurology — as an educational prompt to consider serious causes early.

REFERENCE PATHWAYS

• Primary vs secondary triage

• Thunderclap / subarachnoid haemorrhage — including the Ottawa SAH Rule

• Meningitis

• Raised intracranial pressure

• Migraine

• Tension-type headache

• Medication-overuse headache (MOH)

• Safety netting and discharge considerations

EVIDENCE BASE

Content is drawn from published guidance including NICE, AAN, and BAP, with a dedicated References section citing the sources behind each pathway. Always consult the original guidelines and your local protocols.

DESIGNED FOR LEARNING AT THE BEDSIDE

• Works fully offline

• Clean, fast, dark interface

• Adjustable text size

• No ads

FREE TO TRY

The triage and red-flag screens are open to everyone. A single one-time purchase unlocks the full set of reference pathways — no subscription.

WHO IT'S FOR

Qualified clinicians and trainees in emergency medicine, acute and general internal medicine, neurology, and general practice.

IMPORTANT — PLEASE READ

This application is provided for educational and training purposes and as a decision-support aid for qualified healthcare professionals only. It does not provide a diagnosis, does not recommend treatment for any individual, and must not be used as the sole basis for any clinical decision. It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, local guidelines, specialist advice, or senior review. Always interpret any information in the context of the individual patient and your own professional judgement.