This session explores the science behind prognostication, including functional decline trajectories, disease-specific indicators, and tools like the Palliative Performance Scale, alongside the art of communicating uncertainty honestly and compassionately to patients and families. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks for sharpening clinical judgment, recognizing common estimation biases, and using prognostic reasoning to guide timely eligibility determinations and goals-of-care conversations.
Note: This educational activity strives to support generally accepted hospice practices in place at the time of the course date, but it cannot supersede appropriate medical judgment nor proper regulations—each of which may vary with contextual considerations.