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A recent BMJ study formally described the diagnostic strategies used by GPs and, for 70% of consultations, the strategy depended heavily on their memory. Medicine has got too complex for this and the point that the HSJ article makes well is that delays in diagnosis are a major issue but there are tools available now which can help such as Isabel (www.isabelhealthcare.com) which has been tried and tested over many years. We know that GPs have a difficult but crucial role in early diagnosis but they will be remiss if they do not consider tools that are validated and readily available to help them.