Dialogue Volume 10 Issue 1 2014 | Page 23

CHOOSING WISELY Campaign encourages conversations about low value tests, procedures I s there a test that you order simply because your patients expect it? Well, you are not alone. And for that reason, an educational campaign has been launched this month to kickstart conversations between physicians and patients with the goal of avoiding ordering overused tests and procedures that may be unnecessary and in some cases, even harmful. The Choosing Wisely Canada campaign is modeled on a U.S crusade which has been in operation since April 2012 as an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation. This is a physician-led activity, which is great because it has credibility with other physicians and the public. To date, the U.S. campaign has identified more than 220 tests and procedures that may not be necessary, with 60 medical societies and 16 consumer groups signing onto the effort. In Canada, eight medical societies, including the Canadian Society of Internal Medicine and the Canadian Cardiovascular Society have joined the campaign, so far. Each society has come up with a list of five tests, treatments or procedures in their own disciplines for which there is excellent evidence of overuse, waste and harm. Twenty other medical societies are also working on coming up with their list of five things. Choosing Wisely Canada has been spearheaded by Dr. Wendy Levinson, Chair of the Department of Medicine at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Medical Association. Dr. Levinson spoke with Dialogue about the campaign. Dr. Wendy Levinson Q: What has been the response to Choosing Wisely from doctors? A: In the States it was all positive – the fact that 60 medical societies have participated is remarkable. In Canada, we have had a similar outpouring of support. Many societies called and emailed us wanting to join. I have not needed to go and beat the bushes. Nor has the CMA. Many Canadian physicians are members of the American counterpart society, so they already knew about it. Physicians know that there are some things in their practice that don’t add value and this is a physician-led activity, which is great because it has credibility with other physicians and the public. Q: Why is this campaign needed? A: We’ve developed into a “more is better” culture – doctors order DIALOGUE • Issue 1, 2014 25