Table 2.

Framework of the Language of Prognostication in the 50 Conferences

PROBABILISTIC STATEMENTS
Numeric probabilities	Statements that use numbers to convey prognosis.
	“About 50% of people as sick as your father don't survive.”
Qualitative probabilities	Statements that use nonnumeric expressions of probability to convey prognosis.
	“It's very likely that he won't survive.”
Absolute probabilities	Statements that convey the predicted outcome with certainty.
	“He will not survive this illness.”
NONPROBABILISTIC STATEMENTS	All statements that address prognosis without probabilistic language.
General statement	Statements that express prognosis in vague terms.
	“In terms of survival, things don't look good.”
Best-case/worst-case scenario	Statements that express the range of possible outcomes but do not specify which is more likely.
	“Best-case scenario is that he survives and returns home; the worst-case scenario is that he dies after weeks in the ICU.”
Emotion based	Statements in which an emotional descriptor is used to express prognosis.
	“I'm concerned that he won't survive.”
Opinion based (nonprobabilistic)	Statements in which prognosis is expressed as an opinion.
	“I think he will not survive.”
Uncertainty based	Statements in which prognosis is explicitly couched in uncertainty.
	“I don't know whether the patient will survive.”