Granted, I only have experience with the US, and I'm sure it doesn't extrapolate. Just to share an anecdote, since you mentioned the above: In Israel when

Granted, I only have experience with the US, and I'm sure it doesn't extrapolate. Just to share an anecdote, since you mentioned the above: In Israel when my father was in a hospital after complications from surgery, the doctor told my mother that it is only a matter of time until he dies & that if anyone should see him before that happens now's the time. I think when pressed she said something like "he probably has a few weeks to a few months to live", and he died about 4 weeks later. I'm glad that I got the chance to fly to visit him before his passing which I wouldn't have had if she had the same attitude as your father's doctor.