Review of international policies for reducing sedative use among seniors
Reducing harm from sedative hypnotics is an international priority. A range of policies have been implemented around the world in an attempt to reduce the use of sedative hypnotics in seniors. We are conducting an international policy scan to see what policies have...
The TAPERING trial – encouraging the reduction of opioids in patients with chronic non-cancer pain
Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis. While opioids can reduce acute pain, the evidence for opioids reducing chronic non-cancer pain is lacking. Although recent Canadian guidelines recommend that patients diminish their dose or stop their opioids, there...
Population survey – understanding what community dwelling seniors know about medication harms and deprescribing
In 2016, 50% of Canadian seniors were prescribed a medication that has a questionable benefit versus harm ratio. This pan-Canadian survey queried community-dwelling seniors across Canada to determine what they know about medication risks and benefits. The survey...
Deprescribing guidelines – Tools for implementation
Deprescribing can be challenging. The Bruyère and Ontario Pharmacy Evidence Network’s “Deprescribing Guidelines for the Elderly” project developed guidelines and decision-support tools in the form of algorithms. New knowledge translation tools supported by this grant...
Mobilizing community pharmacists as catalysts for deprescribing
Deprescribing can minimize harm associated with polypharmacy. Community pharmacists can play a role; this project explored capacity to integrate deprescribing into their workflow and to facilitate communication with patients and prescribers. We worked with four...
Creating evidence-based deprescribing guidelines
Prescribers have said that it’s difficult to stop medications when prescribing guidelines only talk about starting them. The “Deprescribing Guidelines for the Elderly” project developed evidence-based deprescribing guidelines to support clinicians in safely reducing...