Choosing Wisely, the reasons for its success

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Health Policy
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• The International Choosing Wisely movement, initiated in the U.S. in 2012, addresses growing concerns about the appropriate use of medical procedures and treatments.
• Increasing awareness among healthcare providers, patients, and policymakers highlights the economic, clinical, and ethical consequences of inappropriate medical decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the philosophy and history of the Choosing Wisely movement.
• To outline the Italian adaptation, "Choosing Wisely Italy," coordinated by Slow Medicine.
• To improve clinical appropriateness by reducing unnecessary interventions and fostering physician-patient dialogue.

Main Methods:

• The study describes the historical development and spread of the Choosing Wisely initiative.
• It details the Italian campaign's focus on reducing unnecessary tests and treatments.
• Information is gathered from participating medical societies and their recommendations.

Main Results:

• The Choosing Wisely movement has expanded globally due to concerns over inadequate risk-benefit evaluations of new medical interventions.
• In Italy, 44 professional societies have identified 230 recommendations against common tests, treatments, and procedures that offer no patient benefit and may cause harm.
• The initiative emphasizes the importance of dialogue between physicians and patients to ensure appropriate care.

Conclusions:

• The Choosing Wisely movement is crucial for enhancing the appropriate use of medical resources and safeguarding patient well-being.
• Reducing unnecessary medical interventions is essential to mitigate risks, avoid resource waste, and uphold ethical healthcare standards.
• The collaborative effort involving various healthcare professionals and patient engagement is key to the movement's success in improving clinical appropriateness.