Understanding the Key Differences Between Diagnosis and Prognosis

Understanding Diagnosis and Prognosis

Sometimes, we hear the words “diagnosis” and “prognosis” when talking about health, but they mean different things. Let’s look at what they mean, where they come from, how to use them, and ways to remember the difference. We will also see some example sentences for each word.

Diagnosis

What Does Diagnosis Mean?

Diagnosis is when a doctor finds out what sickness or problem a patient has. The doctor usually looks at the patient’s signs and symptoms to make this decision.

History of the Word

The word “diagnosis” comes from a Greek word meaning “to know completely.” It started being used in English in the 17th century.

How to Use Diagnosis

Diagnosis is a noun. We use it to talk about identifying illnesses or conditions.

Example Sentences

• The doctor gave a diagnosis after doing some tests.
• Her diagnosis explained why she felt so tired.
• Getting a correct diagnosis is important for treatment.
• The diagnosis was made by a team of experts.
• He was happy when the diagnosis showed it was not serious.

Prognosis

What Does Prognosis Mean?

Prognosis is what doctors think will happen in the future after the diagnosis. It tells us how the illness may progress and how long it might last.

History of the Word

The word “prognosis” also comes from Greek, meaning “to know before” or “foreknowledge.” It appeared in English around the same time as diagnosis.

How to Use Prognosis

Prognosis is a noun. We use it to discuss the likely course and outcome of a disease or condition.

Example Sentences

• The prognosis for her recovery is very good.
• Doctors gave a positive prognosis after surgery.
• The prognosis helped the family prepare for the future.
• With treatment, the prognosis has improved a lot.
• They were relieved to hear a promising prognosis.

Trick to Remember the Difference

An easy way to remember the difference is:

Diagnosis helps to Discover what is wrong.
Prognosis helps to Predict what will happen next.

Summary

In simple terms, diagnosis is identifying the problem, while prognosis is predicting the outcome. Both are important for treating patients properly, but they focus on different parts of the patient’s health journey.