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Choosing Wisely
Encouraging conversations between physicians and patients to improve care.
The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) remains committed to supporting the Choosing Wisely® campaign with the goal of ensuring high-quality, cost-effective care to patients. The AAFP has identified 10 tests and procedures (3-page PDF file. About PDFs) that both doctors and patients should carefully consider and openly discuss before incorporating them into a treatment plan.
About Choosing Wisely®
The Choosing Wisely® campaign was created as an initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation to improve health care quality. Nine leading physician specialty societies have identified commonly used tests or procedures within their specialties that are possibly overused.
To help reduce unnecessary or harmful treatments and tests, the AAFP recommends that family physicians have conversations with patients regarding the safety and efficacy of:
- Inductions of labor or Cesarean deliveries before 39 weeks*
- Inductions of labor between 39 weeks and 41 weeks*
- Carotid artery stenosis screening in asymptomatic adults
- Cervical cancer screening in women older than 65
- Cervical cancer screening in women younger than 30 with HPV testing
- Imaging for low back pain
- Antibiotics for acute short-term sinusitis
- DEXA screening for young patients
- EKGs for asymptomatic, low-risk patients
- Pap smears for young or low-risk women
See Also
AAFP Releases Second Choosing Wisely List of Tests, Procedures That Physicians, Patients Should Question -- AAFP News Now article
Choosing Wisely: Tests and Treatments to Discuss With Your Doctor -- resources for patients on FamilyDoctor.org
Choosing Wisely: Tests and Treatments to Discuss With Your Doctor -- resources for patients on FamilyDoctor.org
*The AAFP has collaborated with the American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to develop the first two recommendations listed above regarding induction of labor.
The recommendations listed above are provided solely for informational purposes and are not intended as a substitute for consultation with a medical professional. Patients with any specific questions about the items on this list or their individual situation should consult their physician.
Choosing Wisely
(*PDF file. About PDFs)