The GP demonstrates that she has actively listened to Jean's story and concerns. We're no closer to 'getting the answer' but this is normal when we cannot yet find an explanation for the patient's problem.

Sometimes this is due to a lack of underlying organic pathology, and other times it is because of the current level of understanding and investigations. 

There was in medicine a time when suggesting stomach ulcers were caused by an infection in the stomach would have attracted ridicule, yet H. Pylori testing is a standard part of modern clinical practice. Given this evolution of medical knowledge it would be foolish to commit to a viewpoint that there's no cause, but that we cannot yet find the exact reason for the symptoms, having excluded the most serious. Our management becomes one of seeking the most benefit for the least harm, whether that's through the impact of a medication, an investigation or a referral.

An excellent guide to managing uncertainty can be found on Bradford VTS