02 July 2018
This month has seen the launch of Choosing Wisely UK’s second round of recommendations, with guidance from our members on the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatological conditions included for the first time.
Hosted by the Academy of Royal Medical Colleges, Choosing Wisely UK is part of a global initiative to promote shared decision making and help people choose care that is supported by evidence, not duplicative, free from harm and consistent with their values.
By improving conversations between doctors and patients, Choosing Wisely UK aims to reduce the overuse of tests, procedures and treatments, with resultant reduction in patient burden, administration for clinicians and the opportunity to make the most of available resources.
The Academy of Royal Medical Colleges asked contributors to identify treatments and procedures used in their specialty that are of questionable value and whose use should be discussed carefully with patients.
The British Society for Rheumatology contributed six recommendations and four patient recommendations pertinent to rheumatology. Our recommendations are directed at physicians from other specialties, GPs, nurses, allied health professionals and patients.
Dr Charlotte Sharp, who coordinated the society’s input to the project, says: “We need all healthcare professionals working in MSK care to take a few minutes to become familiar with the recommendations and to remind themselves of the principles of shared decision making.
“These recommendations were designed by an active 14-member working group. Patients were central to the working group, which included rheumatologists, immunologists, a GP, and former BHPR Section President.”
Dr Elizabeth MacPhie, chair of the our Standards, Audit and Guidelines Working group, who was also involved in the project highlighted: “The Choosing Wisely Campaign empowers patients to get more involved in their care and helps us as clinicians with what can sometimes be challenging conversations."
The recommendations were launched at a one day conference chaired by Dame Professor Sue Bailey. Speakers at the event included Professor Tim Briggs from GIRFT, Dr Wendy Levinson from Choosing Wisely Canada and Dr Catherine Calderwood, the Chief Medical Officer for Scotland. Dr Sharp joined the panel to discuss the process used to draft the British Society for Rheumatology’s recommendations.
Read our recommendations on the Choosing Wisely UK website.