Dr. Mohammad Refaei is Chair of Niagara Health’s clinical utilization committee and physician lead of the hematology and transfusion medicine research group. This column appeared in the St. Catharines Standard, Niagara Falls Review and Welland Tribune.
In medicine, we’re constantly learning and improving. Over the past decade, advances in diagnosis and treatment have helped people live longer, even as they face more complex health conditions. As doctors, we are committed to providing the best care possible, which often means using the latest tools and treatments. But does more always mean better? Not necessarily.
That’s where Choosing Wisely Canada comes in. This national movement, part of an international campaign, helps patients and doctors make smarter healthcare decisions by reducing unnecessary tests and treatments. The goal is simple: ensure patients get care that is truly necessary, supported by strong medical evidence, and free from avoidable risks. When we hear about medical tests or treatments, it’s easy to assume they’re always beneficial. But sometimes, they offer little value — or worse, cause harm. Imaging tests, for example, expose patients to radiation, and unnecessary medications can lead to side effects. Routine daily bloodwork in hospitalized patients may seem harmless, but frequent blood draws can cause anemia and discomfort. Overuse of antibiotics for viral illnesses can contribute to antibiotic resistance, making infections harder to treat in the future.
Beyond patient safety, reducing unnecessary tests and treatments helps ensure healthcare resources are used wisely. Every time we avoid an unneeded scan, prescription, or procedure, we free up resources for patients who truly need them. Healthcare systems are under constant strain, balancing high demand for available resources. Overtesting and overtreatment not only put individual patients at risk but also add to this burden, stretching resources thin and reducing access for those in urgent need. Choosing Wisely Canada gives us the tools to make these decisions with confidence, ensuring that care is thoughtful, effective and safe.
Patients play a crucial role in their own healthcare. Here are three ways to make informed decisions:
- Ask Questions: If a doctor orders a test or treatment, don’t hesitate to ask, “Is this necessary?” Understanding the reasons behind a recommendation can help you make the best choice.
- Know the Risks: Every medical intervention has potential downsides. Knowing what they are can help you weigh the benefits against the risks.
- Seek Evidence-Based Care: Choosing Wisely Canada provides a list of common tests and treatments that may not always be needed, including blood transfusions, CT scans for minor head injuries, and antibiotics for colds.
At Niagara Health, we’ve taken a leadership role in this movement. We were recently recognized as one of only four hospitals in Canada to receive the Choosing Wisely Leadership designation. We have successfully reduced unnecessary lab testing through the Choosing Lab Wisely initiative and minimized unnecessary blood transfusions through Choosing Blood Wisely. We are also part of national and provincial efforts like Delirium Aware Safer Healthcare (DASH), which works to prevent hospital-acquired delirium, and Pause the Draw, which reduces excessive blood testing in hospitalized patients. Our team is committed to sharing what we’ve learned with other hospitals to improve patient care across the country.
Choosing Wisely Canada is more than a program — it’s a shift in how we approach healthcare. By reducing unnecessary tests and treatments, we can protect patients from harm and ensure healthcare resources are used where they matter most. The next time you visit a doctor, take an active role in your care. Ask questions. Understand the risks. Make informed decisions. Smarter healthcare starts with all of us.
For more information, visit https://choosingwiselycanada.org/patient-resources/
