As Part Of Choosing Wisely® Campaign American Urological Association Identifies Second List Of Commonly Used Tests And Treatments To Question
Initiative encourages shared decision-making between urologists and patients
LINTHICUM, Md., June 11, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Urological Association (AUA) today released a new list of recommendations regarding specific tests or treatments that are commonly ordered but not always necessary in urology, or urologic management that could be improved, as part of the Choosing Wisely® campaign, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. The list, the second released by the AUA, identifies five targeted, evidence-based recommendations that can support conversations between patients and physicians about what care is really necessary.
The AUA's 2015 list identified the following five recommendations:
- Don't prescribe antimicrobials to patients using indwelling or intermittent catheterization of the bladder unless there are signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection.
- Don't obtain computed tomography scan of the pelvis for asymptomatic men with low-risk clinically localized prostate cancer.
- Don't remove synthetic vaginal mesh in asymptomatic patients.
- Offer PSA testing for detecting prostate cancer only after engaging in shared decision making.
- Don't diagnose microhematuria solely on the results of a urine dipstick (macroscopic urinalysis).
"The AUA is pleased to continue its participation in the Choosing Wisely® campaign by providing a second list," said AUA Science & Quality Chair Dr. J. Stuart Wolf Jr., MD, who also led the Choosing Wisely® Workgroup. "Our work with programs such as this is part of our continued commitment to offer our members and the rest of the healthcare community the best information to help them provide quality care to patients. The AUA recognizes the importance of making patients partners in their care and advocates engaging patients in conversations about and educating them of their care and treatment options. This shared approach benefits everyone."
Shortly after releasing its initial Choosing Wisely® list, it became clear that additional topics needed to be addressed, and therefore, the AUA began to work on a second list of recommendations. AUA members were asked to take an active role in the development of the list by first submitting suggestions for recommendations and later by voting for their top suggestions from a list compiled by the Choosing Wisely® Workgroup. Member response was overwhelming, showing not only the interest of urologists in this issue but also their willingness to embrace the tenets of Choosing Wisely®. The new AUA list reflects issues mutually deemed important by members and the Choosing Wisely® Workgroup.
To learn more about Choosing Wisely and to view the complete lists and additional detail about the recommendations and supporting evidence, visit www.ChoosingWisely.org.
About the American Urological Association: Founded in 1902 and headquartered near Baltimore, Maryland, the American Urological Association is a leading advocate for the specialty of urology, and has more than 21,000 members throughout the world. The AUA is a premier urologic association, providing invaluable support to the urologic community as it pursues its mission of fostering the highest standards of urologic care through education, research and the formulation of health policy.
About the ABIM Foundation: The mission of the ABIM Foundation is to advance medical professionalism to improve the health care system. We achieve this by collaborating with physicians and physician leaders, medical trainees, health care delivery systems, payers, policy makers, consumer organizations and patients to foster a shared understanding of professionalism and how they can adopt the tenets of professionalism in practice. To learn more about the ABIM Foundation, visit www.abimfoundation.org, read our blog blog.abimfoundation.org, connect with us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
About Choosing Wisely: First announced in December 2011, Choosing Wisely is part of a multi-year effort led by the ABIM Foundation to support and engage physicians in being better stewards of finite health care resources. Participating specialty societies are working with the ABIM Foundation and Consumer Reports to share the lists widely with their members and convene discussions about the physician's role in helping patients make wise choices. Learn more at www.ChoosingWisely.org.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
AUA Media Relations: 410-689-3932
Wendy Waldsachs Isett: 410-689-3789
SOURCE American Urological Association
Share this article