Physicians play a critical role in initiating conversations about appropriate care with patients and other clinicians. Choosing Wisely® is about doing the right thing for patients and avoiding care that could harm them.
A national initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, Choosing Wisely has enlisted more than 60 medical specialty societies to create lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" which provide specific evidence-based recommendations for conversations on the risks and benefits of various medical tests.
Choosing Wisely aims to promote conversations between physicians and patients by helping patients choose care that is:
- Supported by evidence
- Not duplicative of other tests or procedures already received
- Free from harm
- Truly necessary
To learn more about the Choosing Wisely initiative, visit the national Choosing Wisely website.
Choosing Wisely Tools & Resources
For physicians or other health care leaders struggling with how to integrate Choosing Wisely's evidence-based best practices into their practices or organizations, the Choosing Wisely Action Manual takes a step-by-step approach to making system-level changes.
There resources were developed in partnership with the Greater Detroit Area Health Council (GDAHC) under a Choosing Wisely grant to reduce antibiotics for viral infections among adults, diagnostic testing for low back pain, and screening for Vitamin D deficiencies.
Read more about the Michigan Choosing Wisely grant here >>
VIDEO: Choosing Wisely PSA
"5 Questions" resources for your exam or waiting room
The "5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Get Any Test, Treatment or Procedure" single-page flyer is a simple and effective way to encourage shared decision making. Post one in your exam room, or have them available in your waiting room. Any one of these five questions can help start the conversation for both the patient and physician to ensure the right care is delivered at the right time:
- Do I really need this test or procedure?
- What are the risks?
- Are there simpler, safer options?
- What happens if I don't do anything?
- How much does it cost?
Download the 5 Questions poster.
Watch and Share the 5 Questions PSA video:
English
English with subtitles
Spanish
Spanish with subtitles
Antibiotics
Choosing Wisely and Consumer Reports provide a number of resources designed to help patients understand when adults and children need antibiotics -- and when they don't.
Poster: 5 Questions to Ask Before You Take Antibiotics
Brochure: 5 Questions to Consider Before Antibiotics
Consumer Reports Antibiotics e-hub
Antibiotics for a sore throat, cough, or runny nose
Treating Sinus Problems
Watch and Share the Antibiotics PSA video:
English
English with subtitles
Spanish
Spanish with subtitles
Vitamin D Tests
Vitamin D tests: When you need them -- and when they don't.
Imaging for Low Back Pain
Choosing Wisely and Consumer Reports provide a number of resources designed to help patients understand when they need imaging for lower back pain or other common occupational therapies.
Test and Treatments You May Not Need
Imaging Tests for Lower-Back Pain
VIDEO: Imaging for Lower Back Pain
VIDEO: High Value Care: Imaging Tests
Opioid Use
New Choosing Wisely Patient-Facing Materials designed to help your patients understand the risks of opioid use for most long-term pain:
PDF: Low literacy version
PDF: Plain language version