One in five New Zealanders think their doctor has recommended a test or treatment that wasn’t necessary for their health, a survey by Consumer NZ and the Council of Medical Colleges has found. The survey was carried out as part of the international Choosing Wisely campaign, which was introduced to the eye care world at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) New Zealand Branch annual scientific meeting.
Nelson-based ophthalmologist Dr Derek Sherwood, Council of Medical Colleges chair, shared Choosing Wisely patient cards among delegates and took to the podium to explain how Choosing Wisely was designed to reduce the use of unnecessary or unevidenced medical tests and procedures.
It’s about making a cultural change, he said, to reduce opportunistic screenings and other tests, procedures or medications, such as antibiotics, where the cost of doing them does not provide a proportional benefit or where there is little or no real health benefit.
“There is mounting evidence that more tests and procedures don’t always equal better care. While modern medicine has given us more ways than ever to diagnose and treat illness, sometimes, the best option may be to do nothing.”
The patient card encourages patients to discuss their care with their medical advisor by suggesting they ask four questions before undergoing any health tests:
