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- Page navigation anchor for The vanishing skill of watchful waitingThe vanishing skill of watchful waitingI was glad to read Prof Ogden 's thoughtful 'Out of Hours" on 'The vanishing skill of watchful waiting'. Clearly, as the Preacher says (Ecclesiastes 3:1) there is a season for everything - a time to act immediately and a time to 'wait a wee while' The skill in both the art and science of medicine is in knowing when the one or the other is the more appropriate and safer pathway; not at all an easy decision but surely as important in medical education as the sequencing of genes and the managing of budgets.Competing Interests: None declared.
- Page navigation anchor for Watchful waitingWatchful waitingIn 1970 I exchanged practices for six months with a wise Canadian G.P. Dr. Patrick Sweeny. It was probably the most mind expanding thing we did in our diverse, but always practice-orientated careers. There was one maxim that my Canadian friend introduced me to and applied regularly in his practice and in mine. When dealing with particular problems he regularly dispensed 'Tincture of Time'. If ever there were salutary examples of the use of this inexpensive balm they are to be found in Jane Ogden's description of the management of her family's medical vicissitudes during one year.There is an expression in my Geordie dialect that means much the same thing:"If in doubt - dee nowt!"A pause for thought....Competing Interests: None declared.