Challenging the notion that “more is better” in our health care system
The key to addressing low value care in Australia’s health care system is reducing unnecessary tests, treatment and procedures. With consumer demand reported as a main driver of unnecessary tests and treatments,1 Choosing Wisely Australia encourages health care providers to have conversations with patients around the necessity for and risks of certain health care practices.
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- 1. NPS MedicineWise. Choosing Wisely Australia, 2017 report. Sydney: NPS MedicineWise; 2017. http://www.choosingwisely.org.au/getmedia/042fedfe-6bdd-4a76-ae20-682f051eb791/Choosing-Wisely-in-Australia-2017-Report.aspx (accessed Dec 2017).
- 2. Rollins A. Nation pays a high price for unnecessary tests, unproven treatments. Canberra: Australian Medical Association; 2015. https://ama.com.au/ausmed/nation-pays-high-price-unnecessary-tests-unproven-treatments (accessed Mar 2017).
- 3. Hoffmann TC, Del Mar C. Clinicians’ expectations of the benefits and harms of treatments, screening and tests: a systematic review. JAMA Intern Med 2017; 177: 407-419.
- 4. Scott IA, Soon J, Elshaug AG, Lindner R. Countering cognitive biases in minimising low value care. Med J Aust 2017; 206: 407-411. <MJA full text>
- 5. Kelly T. Managing the demand and improving the quality use of pathology testing at Gold Coast Health [unpublished presentation]. Choosing Wisely Australia National Meeting; Melbourne (Australia), 4 May 2017.
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