Nine medical societies and ABIM Foundation have partnered in a campaign designed to help raise awareness about overuse or misuse of healthcare resources in the United States.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that up to 30 percent of care delivered in America goes toward unnecessary tests, procedures, medical appointments, hospital stays and other services that may not improve patients' health.
As part of the campaign, each participating specialty society will identify its own list of five common tests or procedures whose use in their profession should be discussed or questioned. The lists will be unveiled in April. The societies were given the following parameters to develop the lists:
• Each item should be within the specialty's purview and control.
• Procedures should be used frequently and/or carry a significant cost.
• There needs to be evidence to support each recommendation.
Organizations participating in the campaign include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Cardiology; American College of Physicians; American College of Radiology; American Gastroenterological Association; American Society of Clinical Oncology; American Society of Nephrology; and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that up to 30 percent of care delivered in America goes toward unnecessary tests, procedures, medical appointments, hospital stays and other services that may not improve patients' health.
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As part of the campaign, each participating specialty society will identify its own list of five common tests or procedures whose use in their profession should be discussed or questioned. The lists will be unveiled in April. The societies were given the following parameters to develop the lists:
• Each item should be within the specialty's purview and control.
• Procedures should be used frequently and/or carry a significant cost.
• There needs to be evidence to support each recommendation.
Organizations participating in the campaign include the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; American Academy of Family Physicians; American College of Cardiology; American College of Physicians; American College of Radiology; American Gastroenterological Association; American Society of Clinical Oncology; American Society of Nephrology; and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology.
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