An initiative that encourages doctors and patients to choose medical care wisely

Wendy Levinson, MD (photo by Jim Howe) Wendy Levinson, MD (photo by
Jim Howe) More is not always better when it comes to health care,
says More is not always better when it comes to health care, says
Wendy Levinson, MD Wendy Levinson, MD, a professor from the
University of Toronto who was invited to lecture at Upstate. She is
the chair of the Canadian version of an international initiative
called ", a professor from the University of Toronto who was
invited to lecture at Upstate. She is the chair of the Canadian
version of an international initiative called " Choosing Wisely
Choosing Wisely ," which promotes conversations between medical
providers and their patients so that they choose care that: 1. is
supported by evidence, 2. does not duplicate other tests or
procedures, 3. is free from harm and 4. is truly necessary.
Levinson points out that up to 30 percent of medical tests and
procedures may be unnecessary -- in the United States and in other
countries. She discusses what leads to unnecessary care and shares
five questions that she encourages patients to ask their doctors
about any proposed treatment: 1. Do I really need this? 2. What are
the downsides? 3. Are there simple, safe alternatives? 4. What if I
do nothing? and 5. What will it cost? ," which promotes
conversations between medical providers and their patients so that
they choose care that: 1. is supported by evidence, 2. does not
duplicate other tests or procedures, 3. is free from harm and 4. is
truly necessary. Levinson points out that up to 30 percent of
medical tests and procedures may be unnecessary -- in the United
States and in other countries. She discusses what leads to
unnecessary care and shares five questions that she encourages
patients to ask their doctors about any proposed treatment: 1. Do I
really need this? 2. What are the downsides? 3. Are there simple,
safe alternatives? 4. What if I do nothing? and 5. What will it
cost?