Choosing Wisely 2019 forum puts spotlight on unnecessary medical intervention

The Choosing Wisely forum Continuing the Conversation will be held at Te Wharewaka o Pōneke in Wellington on Friday 10 May 2019.

The Choosing Wisely campaign encourages health professionals to talk with patients about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures; and patients to discuss with their health professional whether they really need a particular intervention.

Choosing Wisely clinical lead Dr Derek Sherwood says the campaign puts the spotlight on unnecessary medical intervention, and the unintended harm that can be caused.

'A recent survey of around 800 clinicians, carried out with (NZMA), the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists (ASMS) and the New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) found that nearly 70 percent consider the provision of unnecessary tests, procedures or treatments an issue for New Zealand health care.

'Unnecessary interventions are stressful, and potentially expose patients to harm, leading to more testing to investigate false positives.'

Forum speakers include:

• Prof Tammy Hoffman from the Centre for Research in Evidence-Based Practice, Bond University, Queensland who will be talking about shared decision making
• Associate Prof Sue Crengle from Otago University’s Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, who will discuss Choosing Wisely and equity
• Dr Robyn Lindner from Choosing Wisely in Australia, who will discuss successfully implementing the campaign, and evaluation.

'We will also be assisting consumers to attend the meeting to repeat last year’s commentary from consumers on all sessions. Feedback on last year’s forum noted that “the consumer presence was key to adding value.'

Abstracts for the conference are now invited, and close on Friday 22 February 2019.

There will also be a repeat of last year’s popular special interest groups, including Choosing Wisely 101 for those just learning about this work.

Depending on interest, other workshops will cover:

• Spreading the message
• Choosing Wisely and allied health
• Choosing Wisely working in nursing
• Choosing Wisely and medical education
• Choosing Wisely and pharmacy
• Choosing Wisely in general practice
• Choosing Wisely and medico-legal issues.

The campaign is gaining momentum in New Zealand. Seventeen district health boards are involved in Choosing Wisely work and it is supported by a number of PHOs and GP practices. Thirty-one medical colleges, specialty societies and health practitioners’ associations are now linked to the campaign. Over 154 lists of tests, treatments and procedures that should be questioned have been developed, along with 45 patient resources.