Choosing Wisely Canada helps physicians and patients make better decisions

Dartmouth, NS — Doctors Nova Scotia today announced support of the Choosing Wisely Canada campaign launched in Ottawa.

“As a proud partner of the campaign we’ve already begun discussions about how best to implement the campaign in Nova Scotia.  Today’s announcement is a step toward transforming our health-care system to improve patient care,” says Dr. Mike Fleming, President of Doctors Nova Scotia.

Launched today, Choosing Wisely Canada is a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about appropriate tests, treatments and procedures and avoiding unnecessary ones.

Unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures do not add value to care. In fact, they potentially expose patients to harm, leading to more testing to investigate false positive results and contribute to stress and avoidable costs for patients. Also unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures put increased strain on the resources of our health care system.

The Choosing Wisely Canada campaign aims to establish best practice guidelines to help physicians determine the best course of action for patients.

In a first for Canada, nine national medical organizations released lists of tests, treatments and procedures that patients may not need or benefit.

“Doctors have a large role to play in ensuring that Nova Scotians receive the best health care possible,” said Dr. Fleming. “We’re the ones who order and complete most medical tests and treatments therefore we’re best positioned to help lead health care transformation to ensure the best patient care.”

The nine “Top 5” lists of tests, treatments and procedures that physicians and patients should question have been developed to promote conversations between physicians and patients by helping patients choose care that’s supported by evidence and by not duplicating tests or treatments.

In February 2014, Doctors Nova Scotia hosted a panel discussion in collaboration with partners Capital Health, IWK Health Centre, and the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine to discuss what Choosing Wisely Canada would look like in Nova Scotia.

Dr. Wendy Levinson, founder of Choosing Wisely Canada lead a discussion with physicians, patient advocates, government officials, political parties, medical educators, and academics in attendance to discuss the need—or lack thereof—for many frequently ordered medical tests and treatments.

“With the support of our partners we’re continuing the discussion at our upcoming annual general meeting in May,” said Dr. Fleming. “From there a strategy will be developed as to how Doctors Nova Scotia can continue to move the initiative forward in Nova Scotia.”

“Choosing Wisely Canada is about changing the culture that more is always better when it comes to medical tests and procedures,’’ said Dr. Wendy Levinson, founder of Choosing Wisely Canada, and a faculty member at the University of Toronto. “The goal of this is about providing good care with the right patient getting the right test and treatment and avoiding unnecessary tests and procedures.”

The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) is a lead partner in the campaign, which is focusing on linking best available medical evidence to both physicians and their patients.

“The Choosing Wisely Canada lists and materials being developed are not only a valuable conversation starter, but also a way for patients to get good, useful and trustworthy information,” said Dr. Chris Simpson, CMA President-Elect. “Choosing Wisely Canada will empower both physicians and their patients to be true partners in care.”

The nine national medical organizations participating in the first phase of Choosing Wisely Canada are:

• Canadian Cardiovascular Society
• Canadian Association of Radiologists
• Canadian Medical Association Forum on General and Family Practice Issues
• Canadian Orthopaedic Association
• Canadian Society of Internal Medicine
• Canadian Rheumatology Association
• Canadian Geriatrics Society
• Canadian Association of General Surgeons
• The College of Family Physicians of Canada

Choosing Wisely Canada is modelled after the successful Choosing Wisely ® campaign in the United States, launched by the American Board of Internal Medicine’s, ABIM Foundation.

For more information and to access campaign material visit www.choosingwiselycanada.org 
Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association representing all doctors in the province. It is the oldest medical association in Canada. The association represents about 2,500 physicians serving patients across the province, and 700 medical students and residents.

Doctors Nova Scotia is the professional association representing all doctors in the province. It is the oldest medical association in Canada. The association represents about 2,500 physicians serving patients across the province, and 700 medical students and residents.