Discussing Prognosis

Last Reviewed: October 29, 2019

What You’ll Learn

Assess the information your patient wants regarding prognosis
Elicit permission from patients to discuss prognosis
Deliver a clear assessment of prognosis to your patient, and acknowledge emotional impact
Reinforce patient and family coping mechanisms

What You’ll Earn

Only CAPC members who are logged in can earn the following free Continuing Education Credits:

Case Management: 1.00 CE
Nursing: 1.00 CNE
Social Work: 1.00 CE (NYSED)
Social Work: 1.00 CE (NASW)

A CAPC Member? Login now.

Not sure if your organization is a CAPC member? Check here. If your organization is a member, you can create a free account to take this course and earn CE credits.

View Accrediting Bodies

To take this course, log in. Or, check here to see if your organization is a member.

Take the course

Take the post-test

Complete course evaluation

Download your certificate

Tools & Resources

Communication Phrases in Palliative Care

MEMBERS ONLY

Last Updated: January 29, 2019

Phrases to use when talking to members/patients and their families about prognosis, advance planning, and quality of life.

Discussing Prognosis: Key Takeaways

MEMBERS ONLY

Last Updated: August 16, 2021

Stepwise approach for discussing prognosis with patients and families. Center to Advance Palliative Care and VitalTalk.

VitalTalk - Quick Guides

Last Updated: January 29, 2019

One-page guides with actionable tips for conversations with patients with serious illness. Free to download, print and share with others.

view

Talking with Patients About Hospice

Last Updated: February 2, 2021

This resource lists step-wise tips to foster comfortable, productive dialogue for ‘the hospice conversation’.

view

Course Directors

Course Faculty

Constance Dahlin, MSN, ANP-BC, ACHPN, FPCN, FAAN. Consultant, Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Andrew E. Esch, MD, MBA. Consultant, Center to Advance Palliative Care.

Lynn Hallarman, MD. Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Palliative Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital.

Jaime Goldberg, MSW, LCSW, ACHP-SW. PhD student, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work.

Philip Higgins, PhD, LICSW. President, Lighthouse Counseling of Salem, Inc.

Lynn Hill Spragens, MBA. President and CEO Spragens & Associates, LLC.

Jay R. Horton, PhD, ACHPN, FNP-BC, MPH, CENP. Director of Nursing Safety, Quality, and Performance Improvement Mount Sinai Hospital. Assistant Professor Department of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Khadidjatou Kane, MD. Oncology Hospitalist, Assistant Professor of Hospital Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.

Lolita Melhado, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC. Family Nurse Practitioner/Palliative Care, Gulf Coast Medical Center - Lee Memorial Health System.

Bridget Montana, MSN, APRN, FPCN, MBA. Hope HealthCare Services, Chief Operating Officer.

Colleen Mulkerin, MSW, LCSW. Director Palliative Care Consult Service, Hartford Hospital.

Drew Rosielle, MD, FAAHPM. Palliative Care, Fairview Health Services, University of Minnesota Medical School.

David Weissman, MD. President, Palliative Care Education, LLC.

Peer Reviewers

Amy Case, MD, FAAHPM. Associate Professor of Oncology, Chair, Department of Supportive Care.*

Melissa Bakar, MD. Assistant Professor, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.*

Sivan Ben-Moshe, MD. Fellow, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Sachin Kale, MD. Fellow, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Katie Wang, MD. Fellow, Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

*indicates ABIM Peer Reviewer

Contact information: For answers to frequently asked questions about CAPC courses, read the Online Course FAQ. For technical questions about course activity, email membership@capc.org. For questions about continuing education credits, contact 201-957-0077.