PROVIDENCE – The American Board of Internal Medicine and Consumer Reports magazine have recognized the Rhode Island Business Group on Health for its successful promotion of the Choosing Wisely initiative.
Choosing Wisely, an initiative of the ABIM Foundation and Consumer Reports, seeks to advance a national dialogue to avoid wasteful medical tests and procedures. The organization offers patient-friendly information to government employees, businesses, colleges and universities, health systems and medical groups.
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First announced in December 2011, Choosing Wisely is part of a multiyear 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. The Rhode Island Medical Society is one of the lead partners.
The Rhode Island Business Group on Health draws physicians, consumers and employers across the state in a shared effort to promote conversations aimed at reducing waste and overuse.
RIBGH kicked off Rhode Island’s Choosing Wisely campaign in 2016. The campaign has been embraced by Coastal Medical, one of the largest primary care groups in the state. The campaign was also recognized by a special proclamation from Gov. Gina M. Raimondo and a grant from the Rhode Island Foundation.
The list of local organizations already using Choosing Wisely in conjunction with their employee benefit programs includes Amica Mutual Insurance Co., Brown University, General Dynamics Electric Boat and The Washington Trust Co. Rhode Island and Providence employees are also participants, and Raimondo has also declared Rhode Island a “Choosing Wisely State.”
The report, “Choosing Wisely: A Special Report on the First Five Years,” was released at a Health Affairs Forum in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 24. Rhode Island was one of only three states to be specifically mentioned in the report for its statewide efforts to promote the campaign.
Rob Borkowski is a PBN staff writer. Email him at Borkowski@PBN.com.
