Two years after the launch of Choosing Wisely, a ground-breaking effort to encourage physicians and patients to think and talk about whether certain medical tests and procedures are really necessary, the program is showing promise. A recent study indicates that physicians clearly recognize the problem of unnecessary tests and procedures in the U.S. health care system and feel they are in the best position to address the problem.
According to research released by the ABIM Foundation, nearly three out of four U.S. physicians say the frequency with which doctors order unnecessary medical tests and procedures is a serious problem for America’s health care system—but just as many say that the average physician orders unnecessary medical tests and procedures at least once a week.
Physicians who have been exposed to the Choosing Wisely campaign reported being significantly more likely to have reduced the amount of unnecessary care they have provided in the past year compared to those who are not familiar with the campaign.
The national survey findings include:
- 73 percent of physicians say the frequency of unnecessary tests and procedures is a very or somewhat serious problem.
- 66 percent of physicians feel they have a great deal of responsibility to make sure their patients avoid unnecessary tests and procedures.
- 53 percent of physicians say that even if they know a medical test is unnecessary, they order it if a patient insists.
- 58 percent of physicians say they are in the best position to address the problem, with the government as a distant second (15 percent).
- 72 percent of physicians say the average medical doctor prescribes an unnecessary test or procedure at least once a week.
- 47 percent of physicians say their patients ask for an unnecessary test or procedure at least once a week.
- 70 percent of physicians say that after they speak with a patient about why a test or procedure is unnecessary, the patient often avoids it.
The study suggests that overuse tends to result from malpractice concerns and physicians’ own desire to reassure themselves. Respondents say one effective way to address the problem is having specific, evidence-based recommendations around unnecessary care that they can use to discuss with patients. The Choosing Wisely campaign offers over 315 actionable recommendations about overused or inappropriate tests or procedures from over 60 leading medical societies. The Oregon Medical Association is leading the campaign in Oregon and encouraged that the survey results indicate Choosing Wisely is having an impact. To find out more and get a toolkit to use in your practice, please contact Cassandra Dictus at the OMA ([email protected]).
