Media releases

BMJ - Narrative review - 'Choosing Wisely': a growing international campaign

BMJ describe the present status of Choosing Wisely programs in 12 countries.

Much attention has been paid to the inappropriate underuse of tests and treatments but until recently little attention has focused on the overuse that does not add value for consumers and may even cause harm.

Choosing Wisely is a campaign to engage consumers and clinicians in conversations about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures.

The campaign began in the United States in 2012, in Canada in 2014, and now many countries around the world are adapting the campaign and implementing it.

This article describes the present status of Choosing Wisely programs in 12 countries. It articulates key elements, a set of five principles, and describes the challenges countries face in the early phases of Choosing Wisely.

These countries plan to continue collaboration including developing metrics to measure overuse.

Levinson W, Kallewaard M, Bhatia RS, Wolfson D, Shortt S, Kerr EA; On behalf of the Choosing Wisely International Working Group. ‘Choosing Wisely’: a growing international campaign. BMJ Qual Saf. 2014 Dec 31.

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Stewardship toolkit for clinical educators

The Health Resource Stewardship for Clinical educators contains educational material about the Choosing Wisely initiative for use in universities, hospitals and health professional colleges

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5 Questions

5 questions to ask your doctor or other healthcare provider to make sure you end up with the right amount of care.

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