Overused Tests and Treatments American College of Rheumatologys List Due in Fall 2012

As part of a project organized by the American Board of Internal Medicine and promoted by Consumer Reports, nine medical specialty groups compiled a list of overused tests and treatments. In the project, called "Choose Wisely", each of the specialty groups selected 5 things patients and doctors should question. The purpose of the effort is to encourage a continuing dialogue between patients and their doctors. Tests and treatments that will not affect disease management may actually be unnecessary.

The list of 45 things to be questioned was put together by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, American Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Cardiology, American College of Physicians, American College of Radiology, American Gastroenterological Association, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Nephrology, and American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. Eight other societies have joined the effort and their lists will be available in the Fall 2012. The American College of Rheumatology is one of the eight yet to come.

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