Why is it essential to discuss prognosis and goals of care early and repeatedly in chronic illness?

• A. To avoid legal liability.
• B. To enable informed decisions, align treatment with values, reduce conflict, and improve care aligned with patient preferences.
• C. To expedite prognosis publication.
• D. To document decisions for insurer review.

Answer: (B)

Discussing prognosis and goals of care early and repeatedly keeps the focus on what matters most to the patient and helps care adapt as the illness evolves. When clinicians share a clear sense of likely disease trajectories and possible outcomes in plain language, patients and families can make informed choices, weigh trade-offs between quality of life and survival, and choose treatments that align with their values and preferences. Repeating these conversations over time ensures changes in symptoms, function, or priorities are reflected in the plan, reduces confusion or conflict among family and the care team, and helps avoid unwanted aggressive interventions. It also supports advance care planning, ensures surrogate decision-makers understand the patient’s wishes, and promotes care that emphasizes comfort, dignity, and the patient’s overall goals.