Estimate
Estimate (Medicine)
Estimate (pronounced es-ti-mate) is a term used in the field of medicine to denote an approximate calculation or judgment of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something. It is often used in the context of predicting the likely outcome of a disease or the expected results of a treatment plan.
Etymology
The term 'estimate' originates from the Latin word 'aestimare', which means 'to value' or 'to appraise'.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, an estimate is often used to predict the likely course and outcome of a disease, the expected results of a treatment plan, or the probable duration of a patient's recovery. For example, a doctor might provide an estimate of a patient's life expectancy based on their current health status and the progression of their disease. Similarly, a researcher might estimate the number of people who will be affected by a particular health condition in a given population.
Estimates in medicine are typically based on statistical data and are subject to change as new information becomes available. They are not definitive predictions, but rather educated guesses that can help guide medical decision-making.
Related Terms
- Prognosis: An estimate of the likely course and outcome of a disease.
- Epidemiology: The study and analysis of the distribution, patterns and determinants of health and disease conditions in defined populations. It is a cornerstone of public health, and shapes policy decisions and evidence-based practice by identifying risk factors for disease and targets for preventive healthcare.
- Biostatistics: The application of statistics to a wide range of topics in biology. In the field of medicine, biostatistics is essential for analyzing the data collected in clinical trials and for making estimates about broader populations based on sample data.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Estimate
- Wikipedia's article - Estimate
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