Choosing Wisely: Clinicians as Agents for Change

Choosing Wisely is a campaign that seeks to exert a positive influence on the significant problem of overuse in our health system. Originating in the USA in 2012, Choosing Wisely has now spread to some 20 countries around the world. Choosing Wisely aims to stimulate conversations between health professionals and consumers about unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures. Choosing Wisely differentiates itself from previous campaigns that have sought to influence medical culture by actively engaging health care professionals as leaders in change, avoiding top-down drive approaches, as well as encouraging locally driven and contextualised clinical improvements. This chapter explores the origins of Choosing Wisely, its implementation and effectiveness around the world. It identifies the criteria for success and outlines how local champions are nurtured and sustained.