Choosing Wisely Australia is inviting abstracts that showcase innovations to address unnecessary healthcare for its second annual National Meeting in May.

The Choosing Wisely Australia 2018 National Meeting will be held at the National Convention Centre Canberra on Wednesday 30 May, as a satellite meeting to the National Medicines Symposium 2018.

Australia is one of 20 countries implementing Choosing Wisely – a global social movement that aims to improve the quality and safety of healthcare through better conversations about the appropriate use of tests treatments and procedures. The Australian initiative is facilitated by NPS MedicineWise and led by the health profession.

NPS MedicineWise Client Relations Manager Dr Robyn Lindner said: “Now in its third year, Choosing Wisely is being recognised as a catalyst for empowering both health professionals and consumers to take a lead role in addressing low-value healthcare in this country.

“As the initiative continues to grow, we are inviting abstract submissions that highlight advances and learnings in supporting Choosing Wisely in Australia,” Dr Lindner said. Abstracts will be peer-reviewed and could be accepted within the program as presentations, vignettes, pitch presentations or posters based on the following streams:

• Spreading the Choosing Wisely message. Cutting through the “noise” to engage consumers and health professionals
• Changing culture through health professional education and training
• Evidence of practice change: Achievements and lessons learned from primary to tertiary care
• Innovative ideas to reduce low value care – in the form of a pitch presentation

A prize will be awarded to the best abstract submitted by a student.

Submissions should be a maximum of 300 words and close on Wednesday 28 February 2018. More information about abstracts and registration is available on the Choosing Wisely Australia website.

Dr Lindner said: “This is an invitation that extends beyond our existing members and supporters. We are welcoming all health professionals, students, consumers, researchers, funders and policy makers to join us to discuss the progress and impact of Choosing Wisely in Australia, and to exchange ideas about future opportunities.”

Instrumental in leading the Choosing Wisely initiative in the United States, Daniel Wolfson - Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation (ABIM) - will deliver the Meeting’s keynote address. The ABIM a not-for-profit foundation focused on advancing medical professionalism and physician leadership to improve the health care system in the US.

“Momentum for Choosing Wisely Australia continues to grow and this is a key forum for people seeking to make a positive difference to the quality and safety of our healthcare system,” Dr Lindner said.

To find out more about the Choosing Wisely movement and its implementation in Australia, see our 2017 Report: Join the conversation.

Join the conversation on Twitter @ChooseWiselyAU, #OKtoAsk2018, or follow us on Facebook.