What is ePrognosis?

Although many geriatric prognostic indices have been published, they may be difficult for busy clinicians to remember and use. Our goal is to be a repository of published geriatric prognostic indices where clinicians can go to obtain evidence-based information on patients' prognosis.

To locate prognostic indices, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, published in JAMA January 11, 2011. Users should refer to this systematic review for detailed information on the accuracy, generalizability, potential for bias, and usability of these indices.

These indices are designed for older adults who do not have a dominant terminal illness. For patients with a dominant terminal illness, such as advanced dementia, cancer, or heart failure, prognostic indices specifically designed for those purposes should be used (see the Links tab).

The information on ePrognosis is intended as a rough guide to inform clinicians about possible mortality outcomes. It is not intended to be the only basis for making care decisions, nor is it intended to be a definitive means of prognostication. Clinicians should keep in mind that every patient is an individual, and that many factors beyond those used in these indices may influence a patient's prognosis.



Alex Smith Photo

Alex Smith, MD MPH MS

Alex is a Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF. With Eric Widera he co-founded GeriPal (blog and podcast). When not learning new songs for the GeriPal podcast he can be found biking around Marin California.
Contact: aksmith@ucsf.edu Twitter: @AlexSmithMD

Eric Widera Photo

Eric Widera, MD

Eric is a Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF. Eric co-founded GeriPal, a geriatrics and palliative care blog and podcast, with Alex Smith. When not running after his kid, he is searching for the perfect scoop of ice cream.
Twitter: @ewidera

Sei Lee Photo

Sei Lee, MD MAS

Sei is a Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF. With Alex Smith, he co-created ePrognosis. His 3 kids all enjoy Calvin and Hobbes, so he's constantly trying to get them to do things they hate so they can build more character.
Contact: Sei.lee@ucsf.edu

Mara Schonberg Photo

Mara Schonberg, MD MPH

Mara is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School. When not working to help older adults make informed decisions about cancer screening, she enjoys skiing, reading, and socializing with friends and family.
Contact: mschonbe@bidmc.harvard.edu

Nancy Schoenborn Photo

Nancy Schoenborn, MD MHS

Nancy is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Her research focuses on patient-centered decision making and communication in older adults. She is a proud mom of three who likes to cook and to eat good food.
Contact: nancyli@jhmi.edu

Lindsey Yourman Photo

Lindsey Yourman, MD

Lindsey is an affiliated Associate Professor at UCSD Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care and sees patients as a Geriatrics Attending at the San Diego VA Medical Center. A key catalyst and contributor to ePrognosis since its inception, she is passionate about advancing clinical care, community infrastructure, and public health systems that help all of us to age how and where we want. When she is not running after her daughter, she is running on a trail listening to the GeriPal podcast.
Contact: lyourman@health.ucsd.edu

James Deardorff Photo

James Deardorff, MD

James is an Assistant Professor in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF. His research focuses on improving clinical care for older adults at transition points in their lives, such as a skilled nursing facility admission. He enjoys running through San Francisco and playing basketball and tennis.
Contact: william.deardorff@ucsf.edu Twitter: @wjdeardorff

Melissa Wei Photo

Melissa Wei, MD, MPH, MS

Melissa is an Associate Professor of Medicine at UCLA. Her research addresses multimorbidity (multiple chronic conditions) using person-centered approaches. Outside of work she loves reading, trail running in the Santa Monica Mountains, and discovering new gems in LA.
Contact: mywei@mednet.ucla.edu Twitter: @melissaywei. Instagram: melissawei1

*Eprognosis is strictly the work of its authors and has no affiliation with any government, organization, or institution.


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