Table 1 Operational definitions for key concepts
From: Understanding the public’s role in reducing low-value care: a scoping review
Term | Operational definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
Low-value care | Medical tests and treatments that meet one or more of the following criteria: lack of efficacy, not cost-effective, or risks exceeded benefit | Antibiotics for viral upper respiratory tract infections |
Public | Patients, caregivers, and potential patients without advanced healthcare knowledge | A patient attending an appointment at a primary care clinic |
Excludes clinicians (any front-line healthcare professional), healthcare researchers, and healthcare administrators | ||
Public involvement | The engagement of members of the public in an initiative aiming to reduce low-value care | Engaging a patient in shared decision-making to explore their preferences and the potential risks and benefits to a low-value diagnostic imaging test |