GPs should trust their clinical ‘gut feelings’: study

A greater understanding of their role could help improve patient triage for cancer investigation, researchers say
Dr Claire Friedemann Smith
Dr Claire Friedemann Smith.

Basing clinical decisions on instinct might run counter to evidence-based medicine, but a new study suggests GPs should trust their gut feelings more often – especially if they suspect cancer.

In a systematic review and meta-analysis, UK researchers report that GPs’ gut feelings can be highly predictive of cancer and should be incorporated into clinical guidelines.