Watchful Waiting - Uses

Uses

Often watchful waiting is recommended in situations with a high likelihood of self-resolution, in situations where there is high uncertainty concerning the diagnosis, and in situations where the risks of intervention or therapy may outweigh the benefits.

Watchful waiting is often recommended for many common illnesses such as ear infections; because the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, antibiotics will often be prescribed only after several days of symptoms. It is also a strategy frequently used in surgery prior to a possible operation, when it is possible for a symptom (for example abdominal pain) to either improve naturally or become worse.

Other examples involve:

• the diagnosis and treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy
• depression.
• otitis media
• inguinal hernia
• odd behaviors in infants.
• prostate cancer