Announcing Choosing Wisely Patient Champions program

Consumer Reports is launching a nationwide search to recruit and recognize Choosing Wisely Patient Champions—everyday people who encourage conversations between patients and clinicians with the goal of making sure everyone’s care is as safe as possible.

Who can be a Patient Champion?

Almost anyone, including a patient, parent, or caregiver – though you must be at least 18 years old.

Patient Champions don’t include health care professionals, such as a doctor, nurse, or medical student. (The ABIM Foundation has a separate program to recognize these healthcare providers as Choosing Wisely Champions.)

A Patient Champion can be:

• Someone who asks their health care provider questions to find out if certain medical tests or treatments really are needed – or if there are other options
• Someone who encourages their friends and family to do the same
• Someone who understands that more care is not always better care

What does a Patient Champion do?

• Works with Consumer Reports to publicize your story online, in the Consumer Reports magazine, via social media, and/or possibly in other ways, such as regional and national conferences
• Spreads the message of Choosing Wisely and the importance of talking about overuse with others, and encourages them to share their stories with Consumer Reports
• Considers joining a team of activists by attending and completing the Consumer Reports Consumer Leadership Academy (online and by phone), to learn how to effectively change our culture of medical overuse.

What is the nomination process?

Nominate yourself or someone else by filling out the nomination form. Consumer Reports may contact selected individuals for more information. Nominations must be submitted by April 30, 2017.

Nominations will be reviewed by a doctor, a patient advocate, and staff from Consumer Reports and the ABIM Foundation to choose 25 champions to be trained as the first group of activists.

For more information, email Dominic Lorusso, Director of Health Partnerships at Consumer Reports.