in general practice, a very high proportion of undiagnosed conditions will resolve spontaneously
reviewing the patient after a few days may clarify an unclear picture
holding fire reduces the time given to self-limiting conditions, avoids unnecessary investigations, referrals and emergency admissions and may reduce the anxiety often induced by reacting precipitately
if the patient is obviously ill, delay is not appropriate
the time the patient has had symptoms before presenting may also make further delay irrelevant
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