Barriers, facilitators and needs to deprescribe benzodiazepines and other sedatives in older adults: a mixed methods study of primary care provider perspectives.
Orlando Hürlimann, Daphne Alers, Noël Hauri, Pascal Leist, Claudio Schneider, Lucy Bolt, Nicolas Rodondi, Carole E Aubert
Author Information
Orlando Hürlimann: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Daphne Alers: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Noël Hauri: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Pascal Leist: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Claudio Schneider: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Lucy Bolt: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Nicolas Rodondi: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Carole E Aubert: Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Anna-Von-Krauchthal Weg 7, Bern, 3010, Switzerland. caroleelodie.aubert@insel.ch. ORCID
BACKGROUND: Benzodiazepines and other sedative hypnotic drugs (BSHs) are frequently prescribed for sleep problems, but cause substantial adverse effects, particularly in older adults. Improving knowledge on barriers, facilitators and needs of primary care providers (PCPs) to BSH deprescribing could help reduce BSH use and thus negative effects. METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study (February-May 2023) including a survey, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with PCPs in Switzerland. We assessed barriers, facilitators and needs of PCPs to BSH deprescribing. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, qualitative data deductively and inductively using the Theoretical Domain Framework (TDF). Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using meta-interferences. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 126 PCPs (53% female) and 16 PCPs participated to a focus group or individual interview. The main barriers to BSH deprescribing included patient and PCP lack of knowledge on BSH effects and side effects, lack of PCP education on treatment of sleep problems and BSH deprescribing, patient lack of motivation, PCP lack of time, limited access to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and absence of public dialogue on BSHs. Facilitators included informing on side effects to motivate patients to discontinue BSHs and start of deprescribing during a hospitalization. Main PCP needs were practical recommendations for pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of sleep problems and deprescribing schemes. Patient brochures were wished by 69% of PCPs. PCPs suggested the brochures to contain explanations about risks and benefits of BSHs, sleep hygiene and sleep physiology, alternative treatments, discontinuation process and tapering schemes. CONCLUSION: The barriers and facilitators as well as PCP needs and opinions on patient material we identified can be used to develop PCP training and material on BSH deprescribing, which could help reduce the inappropriate use of BSHs for sleep problems.
