GPs, specialists and hospital staff cite challenges in accessing patient information from other clinicians as a common reason for requesting unnecessary medical tests, treatments or procedures, according to the 2018 Choosing Wisely Australia Report.
Fifty-four percent of GPs, 61% of specialists and 36% of health services said the key reason for requesting unnecessary healthcare was the difficulty of accessing information from doctors in other settings, including results.
Health professionals also identified patient expectations, potential for medical litigation and uncertainty of diagnosis as common factors.
“Improving communication across different care settings and empowering consumers to be active partners in their healthcare can help overcome barriers to optimal care,” said NPS MedicineWise CEO Steve Morris.
