A mentor and military leader once taught me the phrase, "Don't just do something; stand there." Too often we believe we are in an urgent situation when we actually have time to reflect. Particularly when there is a vetting process, we should pause or take a step back and survey the scene. We can apply this same approach to medical decision-making as well. Mindful consideration of the differential diagnosis is highly valuable, particularly when the underlying cause is not clear. In fact, the differential, as we call it for shorthand, is important to ponder even when we think the presentation is clear, preventing us from falling into the easier mindset that common things happen commonly. In addition, we should not fault (or perhaps even celebrate, applaud, or encourage) the brave souls who decide NOT to go forward with the next step in the evaluation or therapeutic process. An informed patient is sometimes the best partner to decide collectively to just stand there and be together.
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