Managing Prognostic Uncertainty in Neurologic Disease

Managing prognostic uncertainty is one of the great challenges in medicine, particularly in neurology. This article reviews the impact of prognostic uncertainty in neurologic diseases and strategies to help clinicians manage uncertain futures for patients and their families.

Prognostic uncertainty in neurology is intensified because of the variable illness trajectories both across and within different diseases, and it can be a barrier to accessing palliative care. The illness uncertainty experienced by patients and their families creates immense existential uncertainty, which is not well addressed by the health care system. Neurologists and health care teams can develop strategies and learn skills to manage this uncertainty by helping patients and families adaptively cope with difficult prognostic information. This approach requires intellectual humility and a deep appreciation of how individuals, including ourselves, maintain psychological equanimity when their existence is threatened.

Managing prognostic uncertainty is one of the central tasks in neurology. By embracing uncertainty while cultivating prognostic awareness, neurologists will serve the critical role of creatively supporting patients and families through the living and dying process.