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Significant concerns have been raised regarding how medicines with a risk of dependence or withdrawal are managed and how care is experienced by patients. These medications include benzodiazepines, z-drugs, gabapentinoids, opioids for chronic non-cancer pain and antidepressants.
Researchers from Oxford Brookes University, the University of Bedfordshire and Leicester University conducted a study to improve the experience of care for people prescribed medications that have a risk of dependence or withdrawal.
What did we do?
What did we do?
We conducted a study that brought together healthcare professionals working within general practice as well as patients prescribed medications with a risk of dependence or withdrawal. The aim of the research was to understand the experience of prescribing, and being prescribed, these medications and to identify priorities to improve the experience of care for patients.
What did we find?
What did we find?
The findings from this study are based on in-depth individual interviews conducted with 15 healthcare professionals and 20 patients from five GP surgeries.
• Patients reported a lack of information about the medication they were prescribed, including potential risks, and how medication would be managed and deprescribed.
• Patients prescribed medication with a risk of dependence or withdrawal wanted continuity of care. Not being able to see the same healthcare professional was reported to prevent partnership working and meant patients felt less able to engage in shared decision making in relation to their healthcare.
• Patients wanted access to alternative non-pharmacological treatment (e.g. talking therapies, pain management services). Healthcare professionals reported long waiting times and limited NHS provision of such services.
• Patients reported a lack of support during deprescription (the process of gradually reducing and stopping medication); many healthcare professionals were uncertain how to deprescribe these medications and reported inadequate time to fully support patients.
Where can I find further information about the study?
Where can I find further information about the study?
• You can find further information in relation to the findings of the study in the ‘Main Findings’ tab. This includes a short summary of the study along with published papers describing in detail what we did and what we found.
• You can also find additional information in the ‘Resources’ tab. This includes written guides for both patients and health professionals, a research animation for members of the public, a recorded webinar for healthcare professionals, and a policy brief for policymakers.
Where to get help
Where to get help
If you have any questions or concerns in relation to the medications featured in this research please consult with your GP or pharmacist who can provide further advice and guidance. It is not advisable to make changes to your medication without first discussing this with your GP or pharmacist.
Funding: This study was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme (Grant Reference Number: NIHR201461). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.
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