The Art & Science of Prognostication Series

The importance of prognosis, goal-setting, and guiding patients through serious illness and the end-of-life journey.

In the past when people were asked how they would like to die, almost all said, “In my sleep,” or at least in a sudden, unaware manner. Many people now say they want to die at home, with symptoms controlled, family gathered around and able to say goodbye before dying. For such a death to happen it must be anticipated, so that decisions can be made with goals clearly in mind. The fear of death and discomfort discussing the taboo subject of mortality can cause hesitation. A physician’s lack of training, concern about “taking away hope,” and the reality of not being able to predict a specific time for a specific patient stands in the way of insightful prognostication. This series challenges the assumptions learned in medical training and from society at large so that medical providers can enter into prognostic conversations with patients and families, a task that is fundamental to medicine and fundamentally a spiritual (though not necessarily religious) conversation.

Course Presenter

Maggie began her career as a family practitioner in the old style – doing everything from delivering babies to taking care of nursing home patients including hospice care. In 1984 she created Lagoon Family Health, the first all-women practice in Minneapolis.

Click to Read Full Bio