Choosing wisely

26 Oct 2016

The Academy of Medical Royal Colleges (AOMRC) has launched a campaign promoting shared decision making between patients and clinicians in order to reduce unnecessary treatments and tests.

The ‘choosing wisely’ campaign is part of a global initiative aimed at making better decision about patient care through improved communication between patients and healthcare professionals. As part of the campaign a dedicated website has been created, offering advice and information to both clinicians and patients. The choosing wisely website lists 40 medical procedures, put forward by the medical royal colleges and faculties, which are commonly used in practice yet actually offer little or no benefit to patients.

The campaign encourages patients to talk about their care with their doctor or nurse and proposes five key questions to ask when treatment is being proposed:

1. Do I really need this test, treatment or procedure?
2. What are the risks or downsides?
3. What are the possible side effects?
4. Are there simpler, safer options?
5. What will happen if I do nothing?

Find out more about the campaign, including the full list of unnecessary treatments, on the website: www.choosingwisely.co.uk

Follow the conversation on twitter using the hashtag #choosingwisely  @UKchoosingwisely @AOMRC @rcpsglasgow