Minor conditions

No formal follow-up is required but the doctor usually advises the patient to return if there is:

• no improvement within a set period of time
• any significant change in the condition
• new symptoms which make the original diagnosis less tenable.

This efficiently eliminates from follow-up patients with transient illness but provides a safety net for when symptoms may indicate a serious illness. Under most circumstances, this is appropriate as it respects patients' independence and encourages them to take responsibility for decisions about their health.

The doctor must however make clear to patients that it is up to them to make the next move especially after a home visit, responsibility being deliberately and consistently handed to patients like a baton or token with no confusion letting the responsibility fall to the ground.