Stories of Choosing Wisely

June 4, 2015

Over the last two years the ABIM Foundation—with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in collaboration with Consumer Reports—has supported 21 projects at the national, state and local levels to educate practicing physicians and consumers about Choosing Wisely^®. Grantees, including specialty societies and multi-stakeholder organizations, have worked on projects in communities across the country to help clinicians learn how to use resources more efficiently. They have also inspired collaboration among hospitals, employers, providers and health care advocacy organizations to deliver better care.

These stories and lessons learned are captured in a new report, “Advancing the Choosing Wisely Campaign in Clinical Practices and Communities.”

Some of the grantee activities highlighted in the report:

The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) created a smartphone application that provides decision support for physicians based on ASE’s Choosing Wisely As of April 2015 the app has been downloaded close to 8,500 times.
The American College of Physicians (ACP) created interactive online cases that focus on high-value care and incorporate Choosing Wisely More than 3,000 physicians have completed at least one of the cases that present clinical scenarios to help clinicians consider the benefits, harms and costs of tests and treatment options for common conditions.
Better Health Greater Cleveland created a digital module on low back pain, cervical cancer, cardiac imaging, sinusitis and headache for medical students and residents at 11 programs in the state.

Later this spring, the ABIM Foundation will announce a new group of grantees that, through the continued support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, will expand the campaign to engage health systems, hospitals and medical groups to work with regional health organizations and physician-led groups, in reducing overused tests and treatments.

We hope this new report provides ideas and inspiration for those who are working to reduce unnecessary care in their communities. Thank you to all of our grantees for their hard work and dedication in advancing Choosing Wisely.