The Medical Professionalism Blog
Category Archives: Managing Resources
The Train Has Left the Station: But Who is On the Train?
I recently attended the Midwest Business Coalition on Healthcare’s (MBCH) Annual Meeting about the Choosing Wisely™ campaign. MBCH is a member of the consumer coalition that will disseminate Consumer Reports’ patient-friendly translations of the 45 recommendations of tests and procedures that physicians and patients should question. At the meeting, a high-level physician executive of one [...]
The Testing Glut
This post originally appeared in the L.A. Times. In case you missed it, a recommendation came out last month that physicians cut back on using 45 common tests and treatments. In addition, patients were advised to question doctors who recommend such things as antibiotics for mild sinusitis, CT scans for an uncomplicated headache or a [...]
Random Acts of Medical Professionalism
I have been mulling over the concept of recognizing random acts of professionalism for years – honest! I cannot believe that lawyers from the Washington State Bar Association beat me to it. “Professionalism may not be sufficient to drive the profound and far-reaching changes needed in the U.S. health care system, but without it, the [...]
All We Are Saying Is… Give Professionalism A Chance
As ABIM and ABIM Foundation President and CEO Chris Cassel pointed out in her recent post, the Choosing Wisely® campaign is medical professionalism in action. But this is not professionalism where protectionism is being professed. Rather, the profession has taken the bold and brave step of not only identifying the tests with little value but [...]
A Key to Success for Choosing Wisely – R.E.S.P.E.C.T
In my post, Fresh Air in the Capital and Throughout the Nation, I wrote about the important ingredients for initial success of the Choosing Wisely® campaign: Right messenger Right message Simple actionable steps Respectful and trusting relationships In this post, I want to address the last, fourth pillar for the campaign: Respectful and trusting relationships. [...]
Joining the Choosing Wisely Campaign
The Choosing Wisely® campaign’s focus is on developing conversations between patients and physicians and among physicians about appropriate care and smart decisions. The catalyst for these conversations and decisions are the “Five Things” lists of tests and procedures where there is little or no evidence on their effectiveness in diagnosing or treating an illness. Through [...]
Fresh Air in the Capital and Throughout the Nation
Last week marked the start of a different type of conversation about the appropriate use and reduction of unnecessary care in the U.S. health care system. On April 4, nine specialty societies made public their lists of “Five Things Patients and Physicians Should Question.” Many national and local newspapers, broadcast media and blogs covered the [...]
Medical Professionalism in Action
As we all know, this is a time of great challenge and introspection in our health care system. Not just in terms of health reform – although that has been the catalyst for several critically important conversations over the last two years. I’m referring to a broader reexamination of how we deliver care in America [...]
Choosing Wisely is a Courageous Act
On April 4th, nine specialty societies will present lists of frequently performed tests and procedures that lack clinical evidence of their effectiveness – a poor use of limited health care resources. These specialty societies and the eight additional ones whose lists will be announced in the fall should be applauded for their great courage for [...]
The Importance of Choosing Wisely
On April 4th as part of the Choosing Wisely™ campaign, nine medical specialties will announce their lists of five tests and procedures patients and physicians should question due to lack of evidence about their benefits. The nine specialty societies include: American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology American Academy of Family Physicians American College of [...]
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