Choosing Tests Wisely in Rheumatology

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: SLE
• Interventions: Other: Choosing Wisely form

• Registration Number: NCT03240536
• Lead Sponsor: Lawson Health Research Institute

Brief Summary

This is a randomized study intended to produce a reduction in ordering of inappropriate tests by general practitioners as determined by recommendations from the CRA's Choosing Wisely guidelines. This reduction of inappropriate testing is expected in referrals to the rheumatologists randomized to the intervention group. This study will further explore which recommendations from the Canadian Rheumatology Association (CRA)/Canada Choosing Wisely campaign have the most impact on regional referring physicians to the Rheumatology clinic at St. Joseph's Hospital, London.

Detailed Description

This a randomized study in that 6 rheumatologists (30 referrals each) will be randomized to one of two groups: intervention or control. Referring physicians to the intervention group will be faxed a brief Choosing Wisely form (intervention) based upon the recommendations of the Canadian Rheumatology Association's (CRA) Canada Choosing Wisely campaign, while referring physicians from the control group will not receive the form (non intervention). Analysis will be based upon the results of a three question survey faxed to all referring physicians at year one and at year two and on future referrals from the referring physicians to determine if there is a reduction in the group of ordering physicians that received the intervention (Choosing Wisely form).

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2017-07-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2017-08-02
• Study First Posted: 2017-08-07
• Study Start: 2018-05-15
• Primary Completion: 2021-09-08
• Study Completion: 2021-09-08
• Status Verified: 2022-04
• Last Update Submitted: 2022-04-19
• Last Update Posted: 2022-04-26

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 638

Inclusion Criteria

• Ordering physicians who recently made a referral to the Rheumatology clinic at St. Joseph's Health Care.

Exclusion Criteria

• N/A, all recent referrals will be included.

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Intervention Group	Choosing Wisely form	Ordering physicians who have referred to a rheumatologist in the St. Joseph's rheumatology clinic randomized to the intervention group will receive a brief Choosing Wisely form (for education of guidelines) faxed with the referral notice. At one and two years all ordering physicians will receive by fax a three question survey.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Assessing the change in the number of the total number of ANA tests, back CT's and shoulder ultrasounds in rheumatology referrals	Change from baseline number of tests at year one, year two	-collecting the total number of ANA tests, back CT's and shoulder ultrasounds

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

St. Joseph's Health Care London; 🇨🇦 London, Ontario, Canada