It took many decades for it to become widely recognized that one-third of healthcare has little or no value. To expect to reverse this trend in a fraction of that time would be magical thinking.

The Choosing Wisely initiative is a tool that clinical practices and health systems can use to reduce utilization of unnecessary tests and procedures. Choosing Wisely has partnered with medical specialty societies, which have provided over 500 credible recommendations about unnecessary practices, and it has engaged over 800,000 clinicians in the country.