Addressing cost of unwarranted medical care in the medical curriculum

Abstract

Within the past decade, there has been a significant increase in Australia's health expenditure, with a concurrent rise in overdiagnosis. Australia has introduced the Choosing Wisely campaign in a bid to identify and reduce commonly used investigations, treatments and procedures that add little benefit to patient care. By catalysing a discussion regarding evidence-based use of medications and medical testing, the Choosing Wisely campaign can minimise risk of harm to patients, as well as reduce expenditure. Internationally, several institutions are considering introducing training regarding cost-effective medical investigations into medical school curricula. The American College of Radiology has found positive results when conducting small-group teaching sessions with medical students regarding appropriate imaging modalities. These results are reflected in a US study that used an educational intervention to improve students' understanding of investigation costs. In addition, the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists has developed a proposed curriculum to further medical students' training in appropriate ordering of laboratory investigations. Australian medical educators must consider whether introducing evidence-based testing into Australian medical curricula should be part of a wider strategy to prevent unnecessary testing and health expenditure now and into the future.

Medical students’ perceptions of low-value care

“…A number of global interventions to teach HVC have been described; however, many target practising doctors and residents . Both Australia and the USA have begun to design and implement HVC curricula for medical students …”