profession
Physician organizations get grants to reduce unneeded tests
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted April 15, 2013
The American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation has awarded funding to 21 regional health collaboratives, state medical societies and specialty groups to develop programs aimed at reducing unnecessary tests and procedures.
The grants extend the reach of the ABIM Foundation’s Choosing Wisely campaign, which launched in 2012. The campaign focuses on encouraging physicians and patients to think about and discuss medical tests and procedures that may be unnecessary or harmful. Since April 2012, 25 medical specialty societies have created lists of tests and procedures they say are overused or inappropriate and that physicians and patients should discuss.
Choosing Wisely grant recipients will work on projects to help educate practicing physicians about the recommendations created by the specialty societies and focus on building better communication among doctors and patients. Recipients also will participate in a learning network aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of their programs.
Among the groups that won grants are the Texas Medical Assn., the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology and the American Society of Echocardiography. State and specialty medical societies will receive $50,000 each, while regional collaboratives will receive $70,000 each.