Imminent death: clinician certainty and accuracy of prognostic predictions

Abstract

ObjectivesTo determine the accuracy of predictions of dying at different cut-off thresholds and to acknowledge the extent of clinical uncertainty. Design Secondary analysis of data from a prospective cohort study. setting An online prognostic test, accessible by eligible participants across the UK. Participants Eligible participants were members of the Association of Palliative Medicine. 99/166 completed the test (60%), resulting in 1980 estimates (99 participants × 20 summaries). Main outcome measures The probability of death occurring within 72 hours (0% certain survival−100% certain death) for 20 patient summaries. The estimates were analysed using five different thresholds: 50/50%, 40/60%, 30/70%, 20/80% and 10/90%, with percentage values between these extremes being regarded as 'indeterminate'. The positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and the number of indeterminate cases were calculated for each cut-off. results Using a <50% versus >50% threshold produced a PPV of 62%, an NPV of 74% and 5% indeterminate cases. When the threshold was changed to ≤10% vs ≥90%, the PPV and NPV increased to 75% and 88%, respectively, at the expense of an increase of indeterminate cases up to 62%. conclusion When doctors assign a very high (≥90%) or very low (≤10%) probability of imminent death, their prognostic accuracy is improved; however, this increases the number of 'indeterminate' cases. This suggests that clinical predictions may continue to have a role for routine prognostication but that other approaches (such as the use of prognostic scores) may be required for those cases where doctors' estimates are indeterminate.on July 4, 2020 by guest. Protected by copyright.

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