Partners

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) is a professional organization with more than 6,500 members in the United States, Canada and 72 other countries. This membership includes allergist/immunologists, other medical specialists, allied health and related health care professionals dedicated to the advancement of the knowledge and practice of allergy, asthma and immunology for optimal patient care. The AAAAI is honored to participate as a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. This campaign is a natural extension of our organization’s ongoing commitment to empowering physicians and patients with the information they need to make evidence-based decisions regarding the diagnosis, treatment and management of allergic and immunologic diseases. Our commitment is met through the provision of cutting-edge educational opportunities; practice improvement initiatives and partnerships; leadership in the development of related guidelines, statements and practice parameters; and an award-winning website that serves as a valuable resource for professionals and patients alike.

The American Academy of Clinical Toxicology (AACT) is proud to participate in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Founded in 1968, the AACT is a multidisciplinary organization uniting scientists and clinicians in the advancement of research, education, prevention, and treatment of diseases caused by chemicals, drugs and toxins. Given the vast and growing array of occupational, environmental and pharmaceutical poisonings, the increased awareness of personal health and environmental exposures, and the availability of alternative therapies it is essential that patients have informed conversations with their providers regarding both the diagnosis of suspected poisoning and the most appropriate treatment options once that diagnosis has been confirmed. Choosing Wisely is an extension of positions held by the AACT and publications in our highly cited and peer reviewed journal Clinical Toxicology that focus on optimal testing and treatment strategies for suspected poisoning. We enthusiastically support the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely initiative and are honored to be able to participate.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. With a membership of more than 17,000 physicians worldwide, the Academy is committed to: advancing the diagnosis and medical, surgical and cosmetic treatment of the skin, hair and nails; advocating high standards in clinical practice, education, and research in dermatology; and supporting and enhancing patient care for a lifetime of healthier skin, hair and nails. Optimizing the quality of dermatology patient care is one of the AAD’s key priorities. The AAD also supports the evidence-based practice of dermatology by developing clinical practice guidelines, measures and Appropriate Use Criteria (AUCs). The AAD’s participation in the Choosing Wisely campaign supports its commitment to providing the most appropriate, cost-effective, evidence-based treatment of skin, hair and nail conditions and allows for a more meaningful dialogue between dermatologists and patients.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Founded in 1947, the AAFP represents 100,300 physicians and medical students nationwide. It is the only national medical society devoted solely to primary care. Family physicians provide more care for America’s underserved and rural populations than any other medical specialty. Family medicine’s cornerstone is an ongoing, personal patient-physician relationship focused on integrated care. The AAFP strongly supports the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model of care. Care provided in this fashion encourages both doctors and patients to choose wisely when it comes to diagnostic tests, treatments and procedures. The PCMH model improves quality of care and medical outcomes, and helps reduce costs to the patient and the health care system. Health care expenses are crippling families, businesses and governments. We need to carefully examine the type of health care provided and the way it is administered. The Choosing Wisely campaign does just that.

The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) is the professional organization for physicians specializing in hospice and palliative medicine. The Academy’s 5,000 members also include nurses and other health care providers committed to improving quality of life for seriously ill patients and their families. AAHPM is pleased to support the goals of the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Academy members believe that palliative care providers and organizations, including hospices, will be essential to the success of any efforts designed to enhance health care quality, coordination and efficiency, particularly for high-need, high-cost patients with serious illness. Studies have demonstrated that high-quality palliative care and hospice care not only improve quality of life and patient and family satisfaction, but achieve these outcomes at a lower cost than usual care, by helping patients to better understand and address their needs, choose the most effective interventions, and avoid unnecessary or unwanted hospitalizations and interventions. For more information, find AAHPM on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Visit AAHPM’s blog or patient site, PalliativeDoctors.org.

The American Academy of Neurology, the world’s largest association of neurologists with more than 25,000 members, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care and enhance member career satisfaction. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, brain injury, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. As part of our commitment to helping neurologists provide the most appropriate, cost-effective, evidence-based care, the American Academy of Neurology is pleased to support the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, as it promotes wise choices by physicians and patients with the ultimate goal of improving health care outcomes through patient-centered care that avoids unnecessary interventions and helps to reduce the rapidly expanding costs of the health care system. The Choosing Wisely campaign also aligns with the Academy’s commitment to the rigorous development of clinical practice guidelines, quality measures and quality improvement programs. For more information, find the American Academy of Neurology on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and YouTube.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons. The Academy and its 32,000 members worldwide are committed to advancing the highest standards of comprehensive eye care. To accomplish this, the Academy provides a wide variety of educational programs, products and services to ophthalmologists and the patients they serve. The Academy’s EyeSmart^® program provides the public with the most trustworthy and medically accurate information about eye diseases, conditions and injuries. The Academy believes an open dialogue between ophthalmologists and their patients is essential to providing the right eye care at the right time. These conversations lead to better-educated patients who are able to make informed vision-care decisions, reducing safety risks from unnecessary tests and procedures and promoting cost savings. The Academy’s participation in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign further fosters communications between ophthalmologists and their patients.

 The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. As the premier provider of education for orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals, the Academy champions the interests of patients and advances the highest quality of bone and joint health. The more than 37,000 orthopaedic surgeon members aim to increase people’s quality of life by improving mobility, reducing pain, and returning patients to their jobs and hobbies. The AAOS has been a leader in developing quality improvement and safety programs—from the “Sign Your Site” campaign aimed at eliminating wrong-site surgery to the introduction of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and appropriate use criteria to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. By partnering in the Choosing Wisely campaign, the AAOS hopes to facilitate dialogue between patients and physicians about appropriately using diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and avoiding those that are unnecessary.

The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents nearly 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck. The AAO-HNS Foundation is pleased to partner with the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. We are enthusiastic about the potential to address in a very practical manner ways to reduce waste, improve quality care, and engage physicians and their patients in making better health care choices. Choosing Wisely complements the Foundation’s quality agenda that focuses on empowering physicians to provide the best patient care through the development of evidence-based guidelines, identifying tools, services, and processes that lead to safe care in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is a strong supporter of partnerships that improve the quality of care for patients. The Choosing Wisely^® campaign helps to raise awareness of the need to evaluate tests and treatments thoughtfully. This is particularly important when treating children because they are still growing and developing. The AAP believes that health care for children, in addition to being delivered in a patient-centered medical home, should be evidence-based or informed, efficient and based on quality improvement measures relevant to the pediatric population. The AAP also encourages patient and family engagement in promoting their child’s well-being. These hallmarks of the patient-centered medical home are integral to the Choosing Wisely campaign.

The American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) is the largest association of eye physicians and surgeons dedicated to promoting the highest quality medical and surgical eye care worldwide for children and for adults with strabismus. AAPOS’s goals are to advance the quality of children’s eye care, support the training of pediatric ophthalmologists, support research activities in pediatric ophthalmology, and advance the care of adults with strabismus. AAPOS establishes practice guidelines for pediatric ophthalmology at the highest level of competence and ethics, and fosters concepts that benefit children’s eye health through preventive as well as remedial activities. Children deserve eye care that is evidence-based, and the adults who care for children need the necessary information to make informed choices about their care. AAPOS collaborates with groups interested in improving the quality of care that our patients receive, and the Choosing Wisely^® campaign helps to foster communication that will help patients to receive their best eye care.

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The ACC is a 39,000-member nonprofit medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, pharmacists and practice managers. For more than 60 years, the College has led in the development of health policy, data registries, evidence-based standards and guidelines and cutting-edge professional education. The ACC believes that partnerships between patients and health care providers are crucial to achieving better outcomes and lowering health care costs. To that end, we are excited to join with Choosing Wisely to encourage open communication about the costs and benefits of tests and treatments. From our CardioSmart National Care Initiative, aimed at helping patients better understand and/or prevent heart disease, to our state-of-the-art educational programming and decision-support tools that place evidence-based guidelines at a clinician’s fingertips, we are committed to ensuring the most appropriate, cost-effective care.

As the global leader in clinical chest medicine, the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) represents more than 18,700 members who provide patient care in the areas of pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine in the United States and more than 100 countries worldwide. From cutting-edge medical research in the journal CHEST; evidence-based guidelines in antithrombotic therapy, lung cancer, and chronic cough; to innovative clinical education delivered through the CHEST annual meeting, simulation education program, and Board Review courses; to supporting and participating in initiaties such as the Choosing Wisely^®campaign, the ACCP strives to fulfill its mission – to promote the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of chest diseases through education, communication, and research.

Details coming soon.

The American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT) is an association of physicians with recognized expertise in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of human poisoning and other adverse health effects due to medications, occupational and environmental toxins, and biological agents. ACMT is proud to join the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, as it directly aligns with its mission of advancing quality care of poisoned patients and public health. Concern for adverse health effects resulting from exposure to environmental toxins and medications used to treat disease affects all members of the population, and information available to the public and physicians regarding the diagnosis and management of poisoning can be confusing and conflicted.  As the only organization representing Board Certified Medical Toxicologists, ACMT values the importance of research and evidence based practice in combating human poisoning. The Choosing Wisely campaign connects with these values and promotes awareness for patients and physicians of practices that are not cost-effective, necessary, or are potentially harmful. Joining this campaign supports ACMT’s goals of advancing the optimal care of poisoned patients and of being the pre-eminent education resource for all issues related to human poisoning.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), representing over 56,000 physicians and partners in women’s health, is proud to partner with the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The College promotes quality, safety and efficiency in the delivery of women’s health care services. The College believes that the efforts of the Choosing Wisely campaign will directly contribute to these goals. Recommendations that are based on specific medical evidence should be discussed between physicians and their patients to help make wise decisions about appropriate care. These efforts are particularly important since women are the primary decision makers for themselves and their families with regard to health care.

The American College of Physicians (ACP) supports the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, which complements and builds upon ACP’s ongoing efforts in its High Value, Cost-Conscious Care initiative to help physicians provide the best possible care to their patients while simultaneously reducing unnecessary health care costs. Founded in 1915, ACP is the largest medical specialty organization and the second-largest physician group in the United States. Our 132,000 members include internal medicine physicians and related subspecialists. ACP is committed to producing evidence-based clinical recommendations; educating physicians and patients about the benefits, harms and costs of an intervention; and providing guidance about reducing the unsustainable costs of health care while preserving or increasing the delivery of high-value, high-quality care.

The American College of Radiology (ACR) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. With 34,000 members, including radiologists, radiation oncologists and medical physicists, ACR has long initiated quality and safety efforts in medical imaging and radiation therapy. ACR Appropriateness Criteria^® help doctors prescribe the best imaging exam for a patient’s condition and reduce unnecessary scans. ACR facility accreditation programs set stringent physician, equipment and personnel standards and are recognized as the Gold Standard in quality assurance. The College is a founding member of the Image Wisely and Image Gently initiatives to lower radiation dose received from medical imaging exams. ACR co-founded RadiologyInfo.org to equip patients with information on imaging scans and radiation therapy they may receive. The College’s participation in Choosing Wisely is an extension of ACR’s longstanding commitment to keep medical imaging and radiation oncology safe, effective and accessible to those who need it.

As the largest professional medical society devoted to the field of rheumatology, the American College of Rheumatology is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Over 50 million Americans — including nearly 300,000 children — suffer from the painful, disabling and sometimes fatal effects of arthritis and rheumatic diseases. As care leaders, rheumatologists and rheumatology health professionals play a uniquely vital role in guiding patients toward the most effective care. The American College of Rheumatology helps ensure patient access to appropriate and timely care, participates in the formulation of public health policy, develops clinical practice guidelines that increase quality of care for patients with rheumatic disease, and provides premier educational and practice improvement opportunities to health care providers. Participating in the Choosing Wisely campaign is an important extension of these and other American College of Rheumatology efforts to ensure optimal care for patients with rheumatic disease.

Details coming soon.

In support of our 16,000 members who are committed to high-quality patient care, the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) is pleased to join the ABIM Foundation and many other esteemed medical societies in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. By developing clinical guidelines and quality measures, the AGA ensures that the patient care decisions made by gastroenterologists are guided by scientific evidence. Through the Choosing Wisely campaign, we hope to further increase physician and patient understanding of which tests and procedures will benefit which patients, and in doing so minimize the misuse of costly screening and diagnostic tests.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is pleased to be participating in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The campaign complements AGS efforts to improve the quality and safety of health care through initiatives focused on quality measures, clinician competency and guidance for clinicians in other specialties. Founded in 1945, AGS is the leading not-for-profit organization representing over 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society is committed to providing guidance that will help individual clinicians to provide the highest quality care to older adults. The Society pursues its mission through a variety of activities, including development of evidence-based guidelines, educating clinicians and the public, and advancing public policy that supports high-quality, patient-centered health care.

The American Headache Society (AHS) is delighted to be part of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely^®campaign. AHS is a professional society of physicians, scientists and health care providers who are dedicated to the study of headache and facial pain. Chronic headache and facial pain disorders are highly prevalent, disabling and costly conditions that often require complex long-term management. Educating physicians, health professionals and the public and encouraging scientific research are the primary functions of this organization. AHS activities include an annual scientific meeting, an annual comprehensive headache symposium, regional symposia for neurologists and family practice physicians, publication of the journal Headache and sponsorship of the AHS Committee for Headache Education (ACHE) and our patient organization, the American Headache and Migraine Alliance (AHMA). Our participation in the Choosing Wisely campaign is a natural extension of AHS efforts to discourage the use of low-value, non-evidence-based approaches to the evaluation and treatment of headache and facial pain disorders.

AMDA—Dedicated to Long Term Care Medicine (AMDA) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely® campaign. AMDA, the national professional association of medical directors, attending physicians, and other professionals practicing long term care medicine, is dedicated to excellence in patient care. AMDA provides education, advocacy, information, and professional development to enable its 5,000-plus members to deliver quality long term care.

AMDA and its members are committed to practicing quality person-centered care that considers individuals’ need, choices, preferences, financial resources, spiritual beliefs, and other issues in care. Such care involves physicians and patients (and their families) working together to make individualized, informed, and wise choices regarding diagnostic tests, treatments, and procedures. AMDA believes that the physicians and other interdisciplinary team leaders are important allies for patients and families, and the need is great for the providers, patients, and families to work as partners in decision-making regarding care planning and end-of-life decision making. AMDA understands that elders and their families need support, guidance, information, and compassion as they face frailty, illness, loss of independence, and even death. AMDA is committed to providing excellent, appropriate, and cost-effective care and to ensuring that patients have the best possible quality of life that includes dignity, respect, compassion, and choice.

Details coming soon.

Details coming soon.

Fueled by the increasing cost of new technology and prescription drugs, health care costs are rising and oncology is no exception. The American Society of Clinical Oncology has identified rising health care costs as a critical barrier to high-quality care for many cancer patients. To address this issue, ASCO’s Cost of Care Task Force is defining the challenges related to the cost of cancer care and developing strategies to address these challenges. ASCO is committed to providing practical educational tools and resources to assist both oncologists and patients in addressing and discussing the cost of treatment as a component of high-quality care. Resources developed specifically for patients are available on ASCO’s consumer website, www.Cancer.Net. ASCO is further committed to addressing the fundamental policy issues related to the rising cost of cancer care at the national level.

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) supports the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, which complements and builds on ASCP’s efforts to raise awareness about reducing unnecessary or inappropriate use of laboratory testing practices. As health care reform evolves, ASCP is committed to ensuring evidence-based practices, underscored by the axiom, “right test, right patient, right time, at the right cost.” Founded in 1922, ASCP is the world’s largest society representing the entire laboratory team. ASCP’s more than 100,000 members include pathologists, pathologists’ assistants, clinical laboratory scientists and certified laboratory professionals. ASCP is working strategically on collaborative projects, including Choosing Wisely, with like-minded medical association partners to heighten the awareness of cost-prohibitive poor practices and eventually garner the attention of government and third-party payers. The Society is dedicated to developing sustainable solutions to stop the overuse or misuse of medical tests and procedures that provide little or no benefit to patients.

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) is looking forward to being actively engaged as a member of the Choosing Wisely® campaign and is dedicated to working with our campaign partners to foster the safe, effective and appropriate use of ultrasound. ASE believes that highlighting the proper application of appropriate use (AUC) guidelines will enable referring physicians and their patients to make more informed decisions, and enable a more cost-effective use of health care resources. Since 1976, ASE has been leading the field in urging quality in cardiovascular imaging through the development of clinical guidelines, professional education and patient outreach. As the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging, ASE is comprised of over 15,000 physicians, sonographers, nurses and scientists. ASE provides guidance, expertise and education to its members to improve the practice of ultrasound of the heart and cardiovascular system for better patient outcomes. Publishing over 80 guidelines on best practices and standards for clinical decision-making, ASE is committed to providing resources to health practitioners to facilitate the incorporation of quality and appropriateness into the practice of cardiovascular medicine.

Representing approximately 14,000 members from nearly 100 countries, the American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world’s largest professional society of clinicians and scientists dedicated to furthering the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders affecting the blood. For more than 50 years, the Society has led the development of hematology as a discipline by promoting research, patient care, education, training and advocacy in hematology. One of ASH’s core values is to promote the highest quality care of patients with hematologic diseases. Accordingly, ASH ensures that the practice of hematology is characterized by high professional standards, reliance on evidence and promotion of awareness and appreciation of the contribution of hematologists to the health care system. As part of this effort, ASH supports the Choosing Wisely^® campaign and applauds its evidence-based approach to creating a dialogue about the use of health care resources in the United States.

The American Society of Nephrology (ASN) is pleased to join other leading societies in participating in the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely^® campaign. ASN is a not-for-profit organization of nearly 14,000 physicians, scientists and other health professionals dedicated to leading the fight against kidney disease. Foremost among ASN’s goals is ensuring the highest quality of care for the nearly 30 million Americans with kidney disease. Achieving this goal requires that clinicians, scientists and patients work together to determine appropriate, patient-centered treatments. ASN believes that highlighting tests and procedures that are seldom useful — or even potentially harmful — will enable nephrologists and their patients to make more informed decisions, and promote the most cost-effective use of health care resources. ASN is proud to partner with the ABIM Foundation to reduce unnecessary tests and procedures, improve the quality of care for all patients and lower health care costs nationwide.

The American Society of Nuclear Cardiology (ASNC) is pleased to announce its support of the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Representing more than 4,500 nuclear cardiology professionals from around the world, ASNC is committed to ensuring patients receive the right test at the right time in the right place. Since 1993, ASNC has been establishing the standard for excellence in cardiovascular imaging through the development of clinical guidelines, professional education and research development. As the first cardiovascular subspecialty organization to develop and promote appropriate use criteria for cardiac imaging, ASNC understands the imperative of providing a patient-centered approach to imaging. The Choosing Wisely campaign aligns with ASNC’s initiatives to promote optimal use of nuclear cardiology testing. ASNC looks forward to working with our campaign partners to continue this critical dialogue about high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered care.

The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. As the leading organization in radiation oncology with more than 10,000 members who specialize in treating patients with radiation therapies, our highest priority continues to be to provide our members with tools and professional guidance to ensure patients receive the safest, most effective treatments. ASTRO has been developing and refining our quality improvement and safety programs for a number of years, and they have had a significant and positive impact on the value of cancer patient care. One of the five goals in our strategic plan is to shape the framework for the delivery of safe, high-quality, high-value health care to all patients by the radiation oncology team. In 2010, ASTRO launched Target Safely, a six-point patient protection plan to improve safety and quality and to reduce the chances of medical errors during radiation treatments. By committing to Choosing Wisely, ASTRO reinforces our dedication to improving patient care through education, clinical practice and the advancement of science and advocacy.

The American Thoracic Society’s mission is to improve health worldwide by advancing research, clinical care, and public health in respiratory disease, critical illness, and sleep disorders. Founded in 1905 to combat tuberculosis, the ATS is the world’s oldest respiratory society. While the scope of the Society’s activities have expanded greatly, its founding philosophy–that disease is vanquished faster when knowledge is shared–remains a touchstone for its programs and people, including 15,000 members. For more information, please visit www.thoracic.org.

Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association (AUA) is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology and has more than 18,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it fosters the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and formulation of health policy. Participating in Choosing Wisely^® affirms the AUA’s belief of providing the finest care possible while adhering to the highest standards of medicine. Through our well-regarded guidelines process and burgeoning measure development, the AUA strives to instruct urologists and other health care providers on the proper way to provide urologic care. Choosing Wisely is another venue to share this philosophy with both health care professionals and patients.

Details coming soon.

For 75 years, Consumer Reports has been working for a fair, just and safe marketplace for all consumers and empowering consumers to protect themselves. Fighting for a better health marketplace has been a significant part of that work. Consumer Reports accepts no ads, free samples or corporate contributions. Its trusted information reaches more than 8 million subscribers each month. Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center, led by Dr. John Santa, was founded in 2008 to educate and empower consumers to make more informed health care decisions and help change the health care marketplace. As consumer partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, the Center is leading the consumer communications program by providing a variety of resources for consumers and physicians to engage them in important conversations about appropriate use of health care resources. Consumer Reports is collaborating with other independent organizations to disseminate these resources to a broad audience and communicate key campaign messages. Visit Consumer Health Choices for more Choosing Wisely information, tools and resources from Consumer Reports.

The Endocrine Society is a proud partner of the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world’s oldest, largest, and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. The Society is an international body with more than 16,000 members from over 100 countries, and represents the full range of disciplines associated with endocrinologists: clinicians, researchers, educators, fellows and students, industry professionals and health professionals who are involved in the field of endocrinology. Our members are dedicated to the research and treatment of the full range of endocrine disorders: diabetes, reproduction, infertility, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, obesity/lipids, growth hormone, pituitary tumors, and adrenal insufficiency. The goals of the Choosing Wisely campaign match closely with the Society’s efforts to educate physicians and patients about appropriate tests and treatments for various endocrine disorders. The Society supports patient-centered approaches to the treatment of and care for patients with endocrine conditions and has been working to help develop programs for the Patient-Centered Medical Home and PCMH-Neighbor care models. The Society believes that patient-centeredness can help eliminate unnecessary or redundant testing through individualized treatment approaches and supports the aims of Choosing Wisely.

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Representing more than 5,800 heart rhythm professionals in more than 70 countries around the world, HRS is pleased to partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign to help ensure that people living with heart rhythm disorders receive optimal care and improved quality of life. The Society also is a leader of the “Apples and Oranges” Sudden Cardiac Arrest Awareness Campaign aimed at sharing the differences between SCA and heart attack and the “AFib Feels Like” Awareness Campaign aimed at helping people understand the symptoms, risks, and treatment options for Atrial Fibrillation, the most common heart rhythm disorder. For more information, follow HRS on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or the society’s blog, EP Insights.

The National Physicians Alliance (NPA) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign, because the best way to solve the problem of high-cost medical care is first to ensure high-quality care, emphasizing value over volume. The Choosing Wisely campaign, an expansion of the NPA’s Good Stewardship Project funded by the ABIM Foundation, is building momentum across medical specialties for evidence-based treatment decisions. Founded in 2005, the NPA represents physicians across medical specialties who share a commitment to professional integrity and high-quality, affordable health care for all. The NPA creates research and education programs that promote health and foster active engagement of physicians with their communities. Through evidence-based practice, responsible stewardship of resources, cross-specialty collaboration and coalition work with consumers, we seek to make our health care system as safe, responsive and effective as possible. Believing that the best way to win public trust is to earn it, the organization accepts no funding from pharmaceutical or medical device companies.

The North American Spine Society (NASS) is pleased to join the Choosing Wisely^® campaign effort to bring quality, cost-effective care to all patients. NASS is comprised of more than 7,500 members from several disciplines, including orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, physiatry, pain management, neurology, radiology, anesthesiology, research, physical therapy and other spine care professions. The Choosing Wisely campaign supports NASS’ mission to foster the highest-quality, evidence-based and ethical spine care by promoting education, research and advocacy.  This campaign will encourage active discussion between physicians and patients about the most appropriate care, based on the patient’s situation and the very latest in research and treatment. NASS’ commitment to high quality, safe spine care is conveyed through the development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and appropriateness use criteria, supporting multidisciplinary spine care research, advocating on behalf of members and patients on issues affecting spine care, and providing a venue for the presentation of research, techniques, current concepts and new technologies related to spine care.

The Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) is the professional society devoted exclusively to cardiovascular computed tomography (CCT). SCCT is acknowledged and recognized as the representative and advocate for research, education, and clinical excellence in the use of cardiovascular CT. SCCT is proud to support the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. This campaign echoes SCCT’s commitment of providing optimal clinical effectiveness of CCT through professional and patient education, establishment of standards for quality assurance and professional training, and development of evidence-based guidelines to enhance patient care and improve the quality of cardiovascular medical practice. SCCT looks forward to collaborating with the Choosing Wisely campaign and the other campaign partners to provide the best care and education to patients.

Details coming soon.

As the world’s largest multi-professional organization dedicated to ensuring excellence and consistency in the practice of critical care, the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) enthusiastically supports the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The campaign integrates with the efforts of 16,000 members in more than 100 countries who are devoted to patient care, education and research. From heart attack and stroke, to severe respiratory insufficiency, overwhelming infection, burns and gunshot wounds, the SCCM recognizes the unique needs of the critically ill patient of any age—infant to adult—and strives to secure the highest quality care for all patients facing life-threatening conditions.

The Society of General Internal Medicine (SGIM) is pleased to support the goals of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The membership of SGIM consists of academic general internal medicine faculty practicing, teaching and conducting research in outpatient settings as well as in our nation’s teaching hospitals. As leading teachers of the next generation of physicians, we are committed to moving the practice of medicine to a more evidence-based approach. We are deeply committed to using science to improve our knowledge base so that our patients can receive the best treatments, the optimal prevention care and the highest quality of life. We believe that the Choosing Wisely campaign mirrors these same commitments to the evidence-based practice of medicine for the benefit of our patients.

Details coming soon.

On behalf of more than 34,000 hospitalists across the country, the Society of Hospital Medicine (SHM) is proud to support the goals of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely^® campaign. Hospitalists are at the forefront of making decisions that promote high-quality and high-value care for hospitalized patients. Together, in thousands of hospitals, hospitalists and patients are already making better informed choices about diagnostics and treatments that lead to the best possible care for the patient and limit unnecessary procedures. SHM’s Center for Hospital Center for Hospital Innovation and Improvement has already delivered real measureable performance improvement at more than 300 hospitals nationwide. As the National Quality Forum and Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award winner for national innovation in patient safety and quality, being a part of the Choosing Wisely campaign is a key component of SHM’s goals to transform health care and revolutionize patient care.

The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) strongly supports the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The SNMMI is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging and how they can help provide patients with the best health care possible. Nuclear medicine and molecular imaging can eliminate the need for exploratory surgery, providing a painless and safe alternative for diagnosing and treating patients. They can help physicians to diagnose, stage and assess the effectiveness of a treatment, allowing highly targeted, personalized treatments to be directed precisely at problem areas and helping patients receive the most effective and most cost-effective treatment sooner. The SNMMI believes that the right test should be performed and interpreted for the right patients by appropriately trained personnel on equipment that is operating safely. Thus, the guiding principles of the SNMMI are in close agreement with those of the Choosing Wisely campaign.

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), founded in 1964, is a not-for-profit organization representing more than 6,500 cardiothoracic surgeons, researchers and other health care professionals in 85 countries who are part of the cardiothoracic surgery team. STS members are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes for surgeries of the heart, lung and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. STS is honored to be among the first surgical groups to partner with the ABIM Foundation in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. This campaign extends the Society’s strong commitment to quality improvement and patient safety. As a nationally recognized leader in outcomes-based research, STS is dedicated to providing scientific evidence and support for discoveries that will ultimately help cardiothoracic surgeons, government, industry and others improve surgical outcomes and the quality of patient care.

The Society for Vascular Medicine (SVM) is proud to be a partner in the Choosing Wisely^® campaign. The SVM is a nonprofit medical society comprised of physicians, surgeons, nurses, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and vascular interventionists. For nearly 25 years, one of the goals of the Society has been to maintain high standards of clinical vascular medicine. The Society believes that optimal vascular care is best accomplished by the collegial interaction of a community of vascular professionals working with the patient. The Society recognizes the importance of individuals with diverse backgrounds in achieving ideal standards of research and clinical practice. The SVM believes that partnerships between patients and health care providers are crucial to improving vascular health, achieving better outcomes and lowering health care costs. We are excited to participate in the Choosing Wisely campaign to encourage open communication about the costs and benefits of tests and treatments. We are committed to ensuring the most appropriate, cost-effective care.