“Diagnosis” vs. “Prognosis”: What’s the Difference?

A line illustration of two people with their mouth open, and a giant question mark between them.

The difference between “diagnosis” and “prognosis”

  • Diagnosis identifies the disease or illness, while prognosis predicts the likely outcome of the disease or illness.
  • Diagnosis is based on medical tests and examination, while prognosis is based on the current condition of the patient and other factors.
  • Diagnosis is the first step in determining treatment, while prognosis guides ongoing treatment decisions.
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What is the definition of “diagnosis” and “prognosis”?

Diagnosis
  • Diagnosis is the identification of a disease or illness through examination and testing of symptoms and medical history.
  • It involves the determination of the cause of the disease or illness.
  • The diagnosis is based on scientific methods and may involve laboratory or imaging tests.
Prognosis
  • Prognosis is an estimate or prediction of the likely outcome of a disease or illness.
  • It is based on the current condition of the patient, the severity of the illness, and various other factors.
  • Prognosis can help doctors and patients make informed decisions about treatment and care.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Diagnosis” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Diagnosis
1,570,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The doctor's diagnosis revealed that I have a severe case of pneumonia.
  2. The accurate diagnosis of the patient's symptoms led to the proper treatment plan.
  3. The diagnosis of the tumor was a shock to the patient and their family.
Prognosis
251,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The positive prognosis gave the patient hope for a full recovery.
  2. Despite the initial negative prognosis, the patient made significant progress during treatment.
  3. The long-term prognosis for the patient's chronic illness is uncertain.
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