General
masterly inactivity
What does masterly inactivity mean?
The considered strategy of active observation without intervention, letting a condition declare itself; abbreviated MICO ('masterly inactivity and cautious observation').
"No need to operate tonight — masterly inactivity and reassess in the morning."
Origin
Old British clinical adage that survives as semi-ironic slang.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'masterly inactivity' mean?
It is the deliberate strategy of watching a patient closely without intervening, letting a condition declare itself rather than acting prematurely.
What does MICO stand for?
'Masterly Inactivity and Cautious Observation,' the fuller form of the phrase.
Is doing nothing really a strategy?
Yes — active observation is a legitimate clinical approach when intervention carries more risk than watchful waiting. The phrase is used half-seriously, half-ironically.
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