We physicians dislike authority.  We do not like authority telling us what to do.

I suspect that this dislike explains the push back that I have heard against the choosing wisely campaign.  Having read many of the recommendations from the Choosing Wisely campaign, I remain impressed with the campaign.

Some physicians fall back on the lawyer excuse – I must do the test or else a lawyer can sue me.

This excuse is just an excuse.  The Choosing Wisely campaign focuses on the avoidance of clearly unnecessary testing.  Any physician who sees patients in the hospital sees many unnecessary tests.  Unnecessary tests cost us money, and not just for the test.  Test results beget more testing, and many unintended consequences.

We physicians have a responsibility to provide high value cost conscious care.  We should avoid excuses, and put our energies into making health care more affordable.  And we should quit blaming the lawyers.