The New Brunswick Medical Society (NBMS) has been leading Choosing Wisely New Brunswick (CWNB) since 2017, with the mandate of reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in New Brunswick (NB). At that time, a Steering Committee was formed to provide strategic leadership to implement Choosing Wisely New Brunswick effectively and successfully.
Over the past seven years, there have been many successes from CWNB including:
- Increasing awareness and acceptance of CWNB amongst NBMS members;
- An annual Using Antibiotics Wisely campaign;
- Physician Quality Improvement Initiative;
- Two sites received national designation as Using Blood Wisely sites;
- Edmundson Regional Hospital received national designation as a Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) Hospital;
- Opioid Wisely campaign and e-learn module for physicians.
With Choosing Wisely New Brunswick’s current funding agreement ending March 31, 2024, a shift in operations and management will occur. The NBMS Board of Directors approved the transfer of leadership and management of CWNB to Research New Brunswick (RNB) beginning April 1, 2024.
Research NB’s mission is to co-ordinate, support and promote health research in New Brunswick. This organization is well situated to support the research, data and innovation required to elevate Choosing Wisely NB and ultimately reduce unnecessary tests and treatments in NB. This shift also aligns well with how other provinces are managing their Choosing Wisely initiatives.
Now that CWNB is established, RNB will be well positioned to move the initiative from awareness to research and implementation.
“Choosing Wisely has gained momentum in the province over the past several years, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Research New Brunswick”, says Dr. Karine Richard, a Family Physician in Moncton and Chair of CWNB. “With Research New Brunswick stepping in, we will be able to embed Choosing Wisely into research and quality improvement initiatives across the province for greater impact in reducing unnecessary tests and treatments.”
With this shift, the NBMS will remain heavily involved in CWNB by continuing representation on the steering committee and overseeing communications to NBMS members and the public. Keeping physicians involved and well informed with CW is fundamental to its success and will remain a priority as it continues to develop across New Brunswick.
For more information on Choosing Wisely New Brunswick, visit www.choosingwiselynb.ca.
Julie Atkinson, Project Specialist
