Short, intense training can do the job. It's not what I did, but if I
had to do it over again, it is what I would do. It all really depends
on the person. It is more about what you do with the rating after you
get it, than the rating itself. In my case, I am a mature self learner,
who owns his own airplane. But either way will work. When you appear at
the intense course, they schedule your checkride. That has to tell you
something.

For me, flying IFR is mostly about worrying about something in the
airplane failing and dealing with ATC. Flying the approaches and
cruising in the clouds seems to go smoothly. Though the skills do
deteriorate. I am probably marginal right now for IMC. But I know my
limitations and can get back up to speed. I wouldn't fly a low approach
right now. But I would fly cruise in the clouds, and after about a 1/2
hour of that, I would up to speed for an approach. The autopilot in my
plane is broken right now, which doesn't mean I can't do it, but it
takes away some safety margin. Other than that, my equipment is all
working. I am still legal to go, currencywise. The decision to go
depends on the weather, the condition of the plane, my mental state, my
recent experience and how familiar I am with the route and will I know
what to expect from ATC. Add all those factors up and I get a go/nogo
indicator. I know enough to say no, which is important.