Doctors’ orders are meant to be followed, and most of us trust that our doctors know what they’re doing when they prescribe a drug or a procedure. However, just because a medication or procedure is commonly used as treatment for a particular illness or disorder doesn’t mean it’s always necessary – or even beneficial.
Choosing Wisely, an initiative founded by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, is taking aim at unnecessary treatments by developing a list of things that both physicians and patients should question. One common treatment that tops the list is the use of dementia drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors. Often these drugs are used to inhibit dementia progression and improve cognitive function, but there isn’t much evidence of the drugs’ effectiveness, and they may only be beneficial to a small amount of patients.
Here is the new list from the American Geriatrics Society and ABIM study that identifies tests, medications, or procedures that appear to harm rather than help.
Check out further resources on procedures and medications to question that are specific to physicians or patients.
At Live Free Home Health Care of central New Hampshire, our care team works closely with your loved one’s doctor to make sure the care plan meets his or her needs and to provide proactive health updates to alert the doctor of any emerging health issues. Contact us to learn more about our experienced staff and our wide array of home care services.