Prognosis
Prognosis (Latin: foreseeing) is a medical term denoting the doctor's prediction of how a patient's disease will progress, and whether there is chance of recovery. Since the 20th century, the word is being increasingly used in non-medical contexts as well, for example in corporate finance.
Methodology
The most accurate form of prognosis is achieved statistically. By comparing large groups of patients by the stage of their disease, a statistical pronouncement can be made on the survival chances of a patient with a particular constellation of symptoms. Possibly the best examples are in tumor staging, where careful investigation of the degree of progression of cancer has been shown to significantly predict survival.
Unfortunately, large areas of medicine are still missing statistical figures on the exact prognosis - in these matters the doctor's previous experiences largely guides pronouncements in this matter.
Knowing the prognosis helps determine whether it makes more sense to attempt certain treatments or to withhold them, and thus plays an important role in end-of-life decisions.
History
For the great 19th century physicians, particularly the French school, the main aim of medicine was not to cure disease, but rather to diagnose it and achieve a satisfying prognosis of the patient's chances. Only several decades later did the focus of efforts in Western medicine shift to curing disease.
See also
