ATHENA

CPMS code:  57740

Lead Network: West of England

Study Summary

Many medicines have long-term benefits and prevent illness. However, in the last few weeks of a person’s life, when it is clear they will die soon, medicines are often stopped. Over the last year or two of life, the benefit of continuing to take long-term medicines maybe small and no longer helpful. Stopping medicines at this stage might improve quality of life, reduce side effects and treatment burden. To do this sensitively and effectively, there is a need to find out what information would help doctors and patients to make decisions to stop medicines. Also, it would be helpful to know more about how and when doctors and patients would prefer to have conversations about stopping long-term medicines in the context of limited life expectancy (the last 1-2 years of life). The overall aim of this study is to provide evidence and resources for use in primary care to support the acceptable reduction of long-term medicines in patients with limited life expectancy for whom the benefits may not be fully realised. Firstly, we will interview 20 patients aged > = 65 years, taking > = 2 long-term medicines, 10-15 carers, and up to 15 GPs and pharmacists. We will ask them if they think it is acceptable to talk about life expectancy and the risks/benefits of long-term medicines when talking about stopping these medicines. We will seek their views on what information would be most helpful to support shared decision making for stopping medicines and when and how such conversations should happen. Secondly, we will hold meetings with an expert working group (including patients, carers, professionals) to review findings from the interviews. The group will develop resources for use in clinical practice to help doctors and patients make decisions about stopping long-term medicines that may no longer be of benefit to the patient. 

The search files hosted on this website are based on the inclusion/exclusion criteria as described in the study protocol and have been built and tested with input from our GP Champion teams. Every effort is made to keep the search files  hosted here maintained and up-to-date. 

However, it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to review the search and make any practice specific amendments as deemed necessary*. 

Please DO NOT mail out to patients until you have confirmation and sign off ('green light') from the study team.

*You should advise the study team of any amendments you make to the search.

Disclaimer:

Please note the resources provided are designed to assist with the identification of potentially suitable patients and to appropriately code these patients if required.

These resources have been developed based on the criteria provided by the relevant study team and whilst every effort has been made to make them universally implementable they rely on read codes and the data stored in the individual practice's clinical system. These resources are intended to assist with identification but should be used in conjunction with clinical oversight and a clear understanding of the study parameters.

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