Choosing Wisely Launch Event Video (Long)

Choosing Wisely Australia Event Video (long)

DR LYNN WEEKES:
More is not always better, and Choosing Wisely challenges that thinking and reminds clinicians that it can be not only wasteful, but also sometimes harmful.

PROFESSOR SALLY McCARTHY:

Performing inappropriate tests and procedures is really wasting time, wasting resources. We need to focus on what's just right for the patient so that we can give them the right care and then move on and see the next patient.

DR LYNN WEEKES:

Choosing Wisely encourages conversations among clinicians and between doctors and patients.

DR GREGORY SLATER:

All of this is about changing the patient expectation that they're gonna get a test, and about the pressure that's on the referring doctor to actually do a test, and that's where this is an incredible initiative where we can restart that conversation about what's appropriate.

PROFESSOR PETER STEWART:

Well, I think for the patient there are very definite advantages, I think they will have an evidence base behind the sort of testing that will be done on them, they will be able to be informed better.

DARLENE COX:

It will help give me tools, and my doctors tools, to have a very strong, engaged, meaningful conversation around the most appropriate healthcare options for me.

LEANNE WELLS:

I think to have consumers empowered like that, all the evidence tells us that that's where we get better health outcomes.

DR LYNN WEEKES:

Because certain tests, procedures or treatments might supplant something that we really need to do instead that's of higher value, or simply because something adds no value, we're better off without those tests, procedures and treatments.

DR FRANK JONES:

Now, as a flow on effect from that, if we stop doing some of these unnecessary investigations and tests, there may well be a benefit to the health economy of Australia.

PROFESSOR SALLY MCcARTHY:

It shouldn't be underestimated how us all getting together, and hopefully more of our colleagues as this gains momentum, how powerful it will be in better directing resources and improving care for patients.

DR FRANK JONES:

We've thought long and hard about our five recommendations, and they are practical and they are doable.

PROFESSOR SALLY MCcARTHY:

One of the problems for our college was sticking to just five, there were so many we could have put on this list, and it was quite difficult to get it down to five, so we're really rearing to go and add more and more and more as this Choosing Wisely really becomes embedded for everyone.

DARLENE COX:

So we don't want unnecessary referrals, we don't want unnecessary tests, we want healthcare that meets our needs that's affordable and accessible, and I think that's what Choosing Wisely gives us the opportunity to do.