Diagnosis vs. Prognosis — What's the Difference?

Identification of a medical condition through evaluation.

Prediction regarding the progression of an illness.

Determining the nature of an illness using clinical information.

Forecast of a disease's potential outcome.

The named disease a patient has based on medical assessment.

Anticipated evolution of a disease over time.

Recognition of a disease through analysis of symptoms.

Estimation of a disease's likely future course.

Medical conclusion about a person's health condition.

Outlook based on the diagnosed medical condition.

Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine "cause and effect".

Prognosis (Greek: πρόγνωσις "fore-knowing, foreseeing") is a medical term for predicting the likely or expected development of a disease, including whether the signs and symptoms will improve or worsen (and how quickly) or remain stable over time; expectations of quality of life, such as the ability to carry out daily activities; the potential for complications and associated health issues; and the likelihood of survival (including life expectancy). A prognosis is made on the basis of the normal course of the diagnosed disease, the individual's physical and mental condition, the available treatments, and additional factors.

The act or process of identifying or determining the nature and cause of a disease or injury through evaluation of patient history, examination, and review of laboratory data.

A prediction of the probable course and outcome of a disease.

The opinion derived from such an evaluation.

The likelihood of recovery from a disease.

A critical analysis of the nature of something.

A forecast or prediction

The conclusion reached by such analysis.

A forecast of the future course or outcome of a situation based on what is presently known; a prediction.

(Biology) A brief description of the distinguishing characteristics of an organism, as for taxonomic classification.

(medicine) A forecast of the future course or outcome of a disease or disorder based on current medical knowledge.

(medicine) The identification of the nature and cause of an illness.

The act or art of foretelling the course and termination of a disease; also, the outlook afforded by this act of judgment; as, the prognosis of hydrophobia is bad.

The identification of the nature and cause of something (of any nature).

A prediction about how something (as the weather) will develop

(taxonomy) A written description of a species or other taxon serving to distinguish that species from all others; especially a description written and published in Latin.

A prediction of the course of a disease

Synonym of diagnose

The art or act of recognizing the presence of disease from its signs or symptoms, and deciding as to its character; also, the decision arrived at.

Hence, the act or process of identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon, especially the abnormal behavior of an animal or artifactual device; as, diagnosis of a vibration in an automobile; diagnosis of the failure of a sales campaign; diagnosis of a computer malfunction.

Scientific determination of any kind; the concise description of characterization of a species.

Critical perception or scrutiny; judgment based on such scrutiny; esp., perception of, or judgment concerning, motives and character.

Identifying the nature or cause of some phenomenon

A positive Prognosis indicates a favorable outcome, but it's not a guarantee, as individual responses can vary.

While Diagnosis identifies a disease, Prognosis predicts its future course and outcomes.

Yes, Prognosis can change based on treatment response, new medical advancements, or changes in a patient's condition.

Diagnosis aims to accurately identify and label a medical condition.

Prognosis is informed by the Diagnosis, past medical data, treatments available, and physician experience.

Doctors use the Diagnosis, knowledge of the disease's typical progression, available treatments, and clinical experience to determine a Prognosis.

No, sometimes further tests are needed to confirm or refine a Diagnosis.

Yes, individual factors like age, overall health, and treatment response can lead to different Prognoses.

An accurate Diagnosis guides effective treatment and helps predict potential outcomes.

Yes, a Diagnosis can be revised if new symptoms arise or further tests suggest a different condition.