Uncertainty
Uncertainty
Uncertainty (/ʌnˈsɜːtənti/) is a state of being uncertain, unsure, or doubtful. It is a concept that is widely used in various fields such as medicine, psychology, statistics, economics, and philosophy.
Etymology
The term 'uncertainty' originates from the Old French word 'uncertain', which means 'not certain, unsure, doubtful'. It is a combination of the prefix 'un-', meaning 'not', and the word 'certain', which means 'sure or established'.
In Medicine
In medicine, uncertainty refers to the lack of certainty, a state of limited knowledge where it is impossible to exactly describe the existing state, a future outcome, or more than one possible outcome. It is often associated with decision making under conditions of ambiguity and complexity. Medical uncertainty can be classified into three types: technical, personal, and conceptual.
- Technical Uncertainty: This arises from the limitations of medical knowledge and technology. For example, a diagnostic test may not be 100% accurate, leading to uncertainty about the diagnosis.
- Personal Uncertainty: This refers to the uncertainty experienced by patients and healthcare providers about personal matters such as the patient's values, preferences, and life circumstances.
- Conceptual Uncertainty: This arises from the complexity and ambiguity of certain medical concepts and theories.
Related Terms
- Ambiguity: A situation or statement which contains more than one interpretation.
- Risk: The potential of gaining or losing something of value.
- Probability: A branch of mathematics that deals with calculating the likelihood of a given event's occurrence.
- Doubt: A feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Uncertainty
- Wikipedia's article - Uncertainty
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