Internal medicine society updates list of common tests, procedures to question

To help guide physician and patient conversations as part of the American Board of Internal Medicine’s Choosing Wisely campaign, the Society of General Internal Medicine today released an updated list of commonly ordered tests and procedures that are not always necessary in general internal medicine based on the latest evidence. The five recommendations address topics ranging from home glucose testing to annual general health checks, preoperative testing, cancer screening and peripherally inserted central catheters.  

“SGIM is delighted to continue supporting the Choosing Wisely campaign,” said SGIM CEO Eric Bass, M.D. “We believe that general internists have an important role to play in helping patients make informed decisions about tests and procedures that may otherwise be used too often. We are happy to update these recommendations to ensure that they are consistent with the latest evidence on the topics.”