Prognostic Tools in Hospice and Palliative Medicine

Although prognostication is an acquired skill, it is a core clinical skill of hospice and palliative care clinicians. Although development of clinical judgment is necessary, becoming familiar with various prognostic tools is also helpful. When selecting a prognostic tool, it is important to examine the advantages and limitations of each tool. Although there are numerous prognostic tools that can be easily accessed, there is no universal tool used in hospice and palliative care. By learning to properly integrate validated prognostic tools with clinician prognostic skills, providers are able to provide optimal end-of-life care.