[Communicating Prognosis and Expectations in Advanced Disease - A Balancing Act in Practice].

Communicating Prognosis and Expectations in Advanced Disease - A Balancing Act in Practice To prepare the end of life, to plan important things, to spend the remaining time of life not only with medical treatments, but to live - these are frequently expressed wishes of people with progressive diseases. Prognostic statements are feared by professionals. At the same time, when talking about what lies ahead for those affected, professionals very often make over-optimistic promises. A broader definition of the term prognosis as well as a careful handling of expectations can help to define realistic goals together.