In April 2012 the ACC, along with eight other medical specialty societies, helped launch the Choosing Wisely^® campaign by releasing a list of “Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question” in cardiology. In just a few short months more than 55 peer-reviewed journal articles have been published about the campaign and its recommendations, and millions have been reached through hundreds of stories in the media. The initial success and positive reception of the recommendations from the first nine societies has inspired 16 additional specialty societies to develop new lists in their specialties, which will be unveiled at an event in Washington, D.C. on Feb. 21.

Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, aims to promote conversations between physicians and patients to reduce overused or unnecessary tests and procedures not supported by evidence, and where the benefits are outweighed by potential harms. Consumer Reports has worked with the ABIM Foundation to maximize the reach and impact of the Choosing Wisely campaign by engaging a coalition of consumer organizations to disseminate content and messages about appropriate use to the communities they serve.

The College is interested in hearing from you about how the campaign is affecting the way you practice. Are you having more conversations with your patients about avoiding unnecessary care? How are those conversations playing out, and how are they being received by patients? What is working well, and what—if anything—is proving to be more challenging? Please share your story by emailing advocate@acc.org.

Learn more about the campaign and view the ACC’s list at ChoosingWisely.org.

Keywords: Washington, Societies, Medical, Medicine, Internal Medicine, United States

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