Watchful waiting

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Watchful waiting, also referred to as observation, is an approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before further testing or therapy is pursued. Often watchful waiting is recommended in situations with a high likelihood of self-resolution or situations where the risks of a therapy potentially outweigh its benefits.

Watchful waiting is often recommended for many common illnesses such as ear infections (otitis media); because the majority of cases resolve spontaneously, antibiotics will often be prescribed only after several days of symptoms. Another example involves the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.