[Implementation of the Choosing Wisely Program in the General Surgery Residency]

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Policy
• Surgical Residency Training

Background:

• Unnecessary medical procedures and healthcare waste are significant issues often overlooked in medical training.
• Medical education is crucial for instilling cost-conscious attitudes in future physicians for optimal patient care.
• The Choosing Wisely campaign aims to reduce wasteful practices in healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and evaluate the implementation of the Choosing Wisely campaign within a General Surgery residency program.
• To assess the impact of educational interventions on cost-conscious attitudes among surgical residents.
• To identify and address frequently used procedures with no benefits and unnecessary patient risks.

Main Methods:

• An interventional study involving residency advisors and specialty residents.
• Utilized the Delphi method to identify recommendations for reducing unnecessary procedures.
• Implemented educational activities including workshops, advertising, and theoretical evaluations.

Main Results:

• Identified key areas for improvement: overuse of computed tomography, prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis, extended preoperative fasting, and unnecessary upper gastrointestinal endoscopies.
• Educational interventions successfully improved participant awareness and reflection on cost-conscious healthcare.
• Participants achieved high grades in the final evaluation, indicating successful knowledge acquisition.

Conclusions:

• Integrating initiatives like Choosing Wisely into surgical residency programs fosters more cost-conscious medical practices.
• Training in quality of care and cost awareness should commence during undergraduate education.
• Recommendations focused on patient benefits and harms promote evidence-based, reflective practice.