Recommendations
Resources for clinicians by health specialty
When less means more time for what counts.
Not every test or treatment leads to better care. Low-value tests and treatments, which offer little or no benefit, can take time away from appropriate care and increase clinician workload. Time spent on low-value practices can also place additional strain on health systems and the environment.
As the health workforce across the country faces growing workload challenges, reducing low-value care is a practical way to ease the burden and focus on what patients need most.
Easing workload burden is a co-benefit of implementing Choosing Wisely recommendations.
Clinician time is a limited resource. The Time Needed to Treat (TNT) concept encourages providers to prioritize time as carefully as any other aspect of care. The Time Needed to Treat Calculator was developed to help estimate how much clinician time may be spent on low-value care. See below to try the Time Needed to Treat Calculator for yourself!
The following examples use TNT estimates to illustrate how implementing Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations in practice can reduce clinician workload.
How avoiding unnecessary blood work can save up to 20 days per year of clinician time.
How avoiding low bone density can save up to 7 days per year of clinician time.
How avoiding unnecessary back pain imaging can save up to 10 days per year of clinician time.
The Time Needed to Treat (TNT) Calculator provides a personalized estimate of the time spent on low-value care based on your practice and habits. It can encourage reflection on daily decisions and support more efficient, evidence-based care.
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About Choosing Wisely Canada
Choosing Wisely Canada is the national voice for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in health care. One of its important functions is to help clinicians and patients engage in conversations that lead to smart and effective care choices.
Web: choosingwiselycanada.org
Email: info@choosingwiselycanada.org
Twitter: @ChooseWiselyCA
Facebook: /ChoosingWiselyCanada
A webinar on how implementing Choosing Wisely recommendations can help to reduce workload burden.