17 Professional Physician Groups Support 'Choosing Wisely'

In our current culture, patients and their health care providers are intended to be partners in developing unique treatment and preventive strategies best suited for the individual. While many people relish this partnership, it can be a daunting undertaking. Thanks to the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, sponsors of the the "Choosing Wisely " campaign, some of the decisions about whether or not to have nearly 90 tests and/or procedures has now been made clearer.

What Is "Choosing Wisely?"

"Choosing Wisely" is a project initiated by the ABIM to aid both patients and health care providers determine just what is the appropriate care in a given, individual situation. The focus of the project is to get both patients and health care experts to consider what tests and procedures may be unnecessary -- or may even cause harm.

Thirty-five medical specialty societies have gotten on board with the project. Each society is asked to create lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question," as a result of evidence-based observations and experience.

Consumer Reports is on the development and dissemination of materials through large consumer groups to interested individuals. Some of the consumer group partners include AARP , Wikipedia , the Midwest Business Group on Health and many others.

"Choosing Wisely" Project Partners Share New Lists for 2013

On Thursday, 17 of the 35 medical specialty groups issued a new list of tests and procedures that are unnecessary in certain circumstances or pose an unnecessary health risk. Among the specialty groups involved in the making of these lists are the American Academy of Family Physicians , American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics .

What Tests and Procedures Made the List of Items of Questionable Value?

The complete list of tests and procedures of questionable value is available as a download for future and ongoing reference. Along with this list of tests and procedures, each of the specialty groups has provided reference material should you or your health care provider want more complete information.

Some of the items on the "Choosing Wisely" list include:

* Don't diagnose or manage asthma without spirometry.

* Don't do imaging for low back pain within the first six weeks, unless red flags are present.

* Don't order annual electrocardiograms (EKGs) or any other cardiac screening for low-risk patients

without symptoms.

* Don't screen for carotid artery stenosis (CAS) in asymptomatic adult patients.

* Don't order antibiotics for adenoviral conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Bottom Line

It's refreshing to know that in these times of high health care costs and challenging life dynamics that medical experts are closely examining tests and procedures to provide guidance to physicians and patients alike.

Once you've familiarize yourself with the newest "Choosing Wisely" recommendations, you'll be able to more fully participate in your health care. Don't hesitate to print the list and take it with you to your medical appointments. You may never have your health care provider recommend one of the unnecessary tests or procedures, but if it should happen, you'll be prepared to question the wisdom of such a choice.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/17-professional-physician-groups-support-choosing-wisely-180000990.html

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