Short summary

Understanding barriers to deprescribing is crucial for its implementation in general practice. In this project, we will investigate what actually happens in the interaction between the older patient and the general practitioner during the conversation about potential deprescribing. We will do this by video recording consultations between older patients and general practitioners and subsequently interviewing the general practitioners.

Rationale

Medicine consumption among older people in our society is both large and increasing. For example, Danes in the age group of 60-69 years, on average, use four different groups of medications per year, while the corresponding numbers for the 70-79 and 80+ age groups are five and eight, respectively. General practitioners prescribe up to 90% of all prescription medication and are usually primarily responsible for overall medication management of individual patients. Therefore, general practice plays a central role in deprescribing. In previous projects, we have identified various practical and structural barriers to deprescribing in daily clinical practice. In this project, we will attempt to address some of these barriers by mapping what happens in the interaction between older patients and general practitioners during conversations about potential deprescribing. With this project, we thus aim to support the implementation of deprescribing in general practice and thereby ensure appropriate use of medication among the older patients.

Description of the cohort

Patients aged 65 or older, who have three or more chronic diseases, and who take a minimum of five different medications. General practitioners.

Data and biological material

Data from video records and interviews.

Collaborating researchers and departments

Research Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacy, and Environmental Medicine, Dept. of Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Southern Denmark

Research Unit at Hospital Pharmacy Funen at Odense University Hospital

Odense Deprescribing INitiative (ODIN)