Choosing wisely and relationship with patient safety.

Dr Aeshah .I. Al-Saghier

Corresponding author.
Dr Aeshah .I. Al-Saghier

Consultant family and home health care physician
Leader of Ministry of Health

Tel.: (+966) 55 1333179
E-mail address: all-sagheir@moh.gov.sa

Abstract

Choosing Wisely is a campaign to help physicians and patients engage in conversations about
unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures, and to help physicians and patients make smart and
effective choices to ensure high-quality care.1
Choosing Wisely is part of a global movement to improve healthcare. In US it began in 2012, when
the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation, Consumer Reports and nine medical specialty
societies launched the Choosing Wisely campaign. 2 The response far exceeded expectations and now
more than 80 medical societies have joined and hundreds of evidence-based recommendations have
been translated into consumer-friendly language and used by tens of millions of consumers. 1
Choosing Wisely Canada was launched in 2013 and similar initiatives are happening in Germany, Italy,
Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, and UK. 3
Choosing Wisely is allowing Patients and health professionals to begin trustworthy considerations about
what is truly needed. 4 Not all tests, treatments and procedures are in the patient’s best interest.
Unnecessary practices are a diversion from high quality care. They can lead to more frequent and
invasive investigations that can expose patients to unjustified risk of harm, emotional stress and
financial cost. Many have become fixed in the system. 3
Choosing Wisely can only be effective if consumers are part of the conversation and are provided with
the evidence they need to confidently ask questions about how best to limit their exposure to
unnecessary and potentially harmful tests, treatments and procedures. 5 The right choice should be based
on the best available evidence and discussion between the patients and clinician.

Biography

Consultant family and home health care physician
Leader of Ministry of Health Post Covid-19 project
Choosing wisely champion at Ministry of Health
Advisor to assistant minister of health
Clinical associate professor, Princess Norah Bint Abdul Rahman University
Head of national home health care committee, Saudi health council
Chairman of Saudi scientific home health care society board
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia