Cognitive biases in clinical decision making | February

We like to think our decision making is rational. That we make the most logical decision with the information available. However, behavioural science tells us this is not true. Our decision making is influenced by biases, and physicians are not immune to this.

Join Professor Ian Scott in a discussion about the cognitive biases that physicians experience in their clinical decision making and how this can play a role in the continued delivery of low-value care.

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Download the slides (PDF)

Considering equity in reducing low-value care | March

As physicians act to reduce low-value care through implementing Evolve and Choosing Wisely recommendations they must take care that these recommendations do not increase existing inequities for Māori and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Join Professor David Tipene-Leach and Dr Derek Sherwood as they discuss key findings from the Choosing Wisely Means Choosing Equity report (PDF), including why considering equity in this context is so important and messages for physicians on their role in reducing healthcare inequities.

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Innovative teaching strategies to encourage implementation of Evolve recommendations | April

So, you’re familiar with your specialties’ Top-5 recommendations and now want to share them with your students, early career clinicians and even colleagues and Fellows. How will you engage others to drive high-value, high-quality care?

Join Dr Leung as he shares the innovative strategies he uses to engage his team, from hospital inductions to gamification. Dr Chris Leung has trialed multiple approaches to ensure patients are receiving the tests, treatments and procedures they need and not those they don’t.

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Machine learning and low value care - promises and pitfalls | RACP Congress May

Machine learning refers to a process whereby computerised methods are used for identifying patterns in large training datasets which are then encoded in a computer model which is tested and validated on new data. Recent progress in machine learning now enables the development of computer models which can automate the detection of low-yield diagnostic testing and other forms of low value care. This session will introduce participants to the promises and pitfalls of machine learning in identifying and reducing low value healthcare. Session Outcomes: Audience will come away with a better understanding of:

• What is machine learning and how can it be applied to healthcare?
• Recent literature which applies machine learning methods to the identification of low-value care.
• The strengths and weaknesses of this approach relative to more traditional approaches.

Watch Dr Jonathan Chen 's presentation on AI and machine learning and medicine

Low value care and climate change | June

As healthcare professionals we are aware that climate change poses one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century, but what is the health care industry’s contribution to this? With millions of pathology tests being done every year in Australia alone it is more important than ever to consider the whole impact of low-value care.

Join Professor Alexandra Barratt in a discussion about how medicine contributes to our carbon emissions and how we can do better.

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Download the slides (PDF)

First, do no harm | July

There have been considerable concerns in the field of addiction medicine in regard to inappropriate forms of treatment, and forms of treatment which claim to produce good results, but where the evidence simply does not stack up.

Join Professor Nicholas Lintzeris and Professor John Saunders as they discuss why the new Addiction Medicine Evolve recommendations are relevant and important for all physicians to be across.

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Download the slides (PDF)

Challenges and successes in reducing low-value care in Paediatrics | August

The idea that we order unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures can be confronting for clinicians, particularly in the space of paediatrics. However, work is being done to better understand the drivers of low-value practices and what may work to reduce them. Join Dr Joanna Lawrence and Dr Suzi Riess in a discussion about the challenges and successes of reducing low-value care in paediatric practice.

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Prescribing cascade – improving the trickle down | September

Unsafe medication practices and medication errors have been identified by The World Health Organization as leading causes of injury and avoidable harm in healthcare systems across the world.

Patient safety is every clinician’s priority. Dr Genevieve Gabb with speakers Professor Jennifer Martin and Dr Chris Cameron discuss the common causes of physician induced harm.

Colonoscopies, Coeliac and PPIs: Top-5 recommendations on low-value care in gastroenterology | November

Join Dr Steven Bollipo, FRACP, Director of Gastroenterology & Endoscopy at John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle as he discusses issues that can lead to low value care in gastroenterology. The webinar covers inappropriate and unnecessary use of:

• colonoscopies
• faecal occult blood testing
• proton pump inhibitor medication
• genetic testing for coeliac disease
• endoscopy for Barrett’s Oesophagus

All webinar recordings are available to watch on our YouTube playlist.